by M J Dees
Sevan looked at Tori who shrugged again. They followed Ay-ttho in silence.
She passed a few constructions and then headed for another one which had a creature outside. This creature appeared to Sevan like a string of balls, some of which were opaque, others solid with colour. The opaque balls lit up in different colours. Now and then and there was an increase in activity as Ay-ttho approached.
“Lopez?” asked Ay-ttho.
Sevan watched the creature provide an intriguing light display. Satisfied, Ay-ttho continued in the direction they had been heading and then stopped. Trying to see why she had stopped, Sevan noticed she was looking at a small flying worm, it had two antennae, similar to Sevan’s but thinner and with no marbles at the end.
“Where is your mother?” Ay-ttho asked.
The worm turned and flew away towards another of the constructions. Ay-ttho followed it. Sevan and Tori followed Ay-ttho.
The flying worm led them into the construction which seem to be filled with a large pool. In the centre of the pool was a spotty island with a dozen to two dozen spikes sticking out in all directions. At one end of the pool, Sevan could just make out the tiny head of one of the flying worms, sticking out of the water then, at the other side he noticed a worm crawling out of the pool, its wings were rolled in on themselves so they looked like two sticks protruding from its back.
The flying worm, led them down a staircase to a room with a large window so they could see into the pool. Sevan realised that the island he had seen poking out of the water was the top of the head of a much larger creature. The creature was a giant wingless worm with smaller worms which appeared to be growing out of its sides some of which were feeding on debris floating in the pond. There were also holes where Sevan imagined worms used to be attached. As he was watching, one worm detached itself from the creature and joined two other worms swimming in the water.
“Lopez?” Ay-ttho asked.
The creature didn’t move but Ay-ttho seemed to be satisfied that it had communicated something to her but she did not look happy. Sevan tried to communicate to Tori, non-verbally, that he should ask Ay-ttho what is wrong, being unable to do so himself due to Ay-ttho’s previous threat. After a while, Tori got the message.
“Is it bad?” he asked.
“It’s bad,” said Ay-ttho.
Find out what happens next
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
M J Dees is the author of five novels ranging from psychological thrillers, to dystopia, to historical to humourous fiction, as well as the Mastery of the Stars sci-fi novella series. He makes his online home atwww.mjdees.com/. You can connect with M J on Twitter at@mjdeeswriter, on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/mjdeeswriter and send him an email at [email protected] if the mood strikes you.
ALSO BY M J DEES
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When your partner goes missing and you become the prime suspect, what do you do?
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A car crash and an encounter with a priest turns Teresa's reunion with her daughter into a life-changing struggle.
Teresa is a drink dependent, middle-aged Brazilian who just wants to be reunited with her daughter but her ex-husband's accidental death leads to a fight for custody of their child.
Bob is a pastor with secrets. He makes Teresa an offer which seems too good to refuse until the truth about him is revealed. Teresa must choose between her daughter, the pastor, or her life.
Book two in the Teresa Da Silva series, this spicy psychological suspense novel, Living with the Headless Mule can be read before or after M J Dees' debut novel, Living with Saci, for which this is a prequel/sequel.
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The Astonishing Anniversaries of James and David: Part One
How do you know if you have achieved success? No matter how successful he becomes James doesn't feel happy. Meanwhile, his twin brother, David, seems content regardless of the dreadful, life threatening events which afflict him year after year. The Astonishing Anniversaries of James and David is as much a nostalgic romp through the 70s, 80s and 90s England as it is a shocking and occasionally tragic comedy.
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When The Well Runs Dry
In a country divided by civil war, one city stands above the chaos. Since the system collapsed, citizens are struggling to survive. Marauders are destroying what little is left. However, not everyone is ready to surrender. The Alder and her loyal supporters find themselves caught in a life or death struggle to save, not only themselves but also those around them. The future of the nation is at stake. When The Well Runs Dry is the first book in M J Dees' dystopian series set in a future where resources have all but run out. Read this book while there is still a future in which to read it.
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Fred & Leah
At a time of war, soldiers are not always the only casualties.
On September 3rd, 1939, Fred knew he would have no choice but to go to France and fight. However, when he found himself among the thousands of men stranded after the Dunkirk evacuation, he had no idea when he would see his wife Leah and his two children again.
Leah is left trying to raise her two children by herself but, even she can't stop the bombs from falling on her street.
M J Dees' fourth novel and his first historical novel, Fred and Leah, is based on a real-life love story of two people whose lives were irrevocably altered by war.
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DEDICATION
To George Lucas, for brightening my childhood.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I am indebted to the following for their help. My beta reading team, especially Peggy Coppolo, Daryl Shumann and Chris Wells and my advance review team.
COPYRIGHT
First published in 2019 by M J Dees
E-book first published in 2019 by M J Dees
Copyright M J Dees 2019
The moral right of M J Dees to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All the characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher, nor to be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published without a similar condition, including this condition, being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
Cover Design by James, GoOnWrite.com