Here is a list of all the authors flashing this week, along with a brief snippet from their latest free work. Click the link after the snippet to be taken to the complete story on the author’s home page.
Love Across Time: Chapter 42 by Jim Dunaway
Colin’s facial expression and body language had Ryan freaking. Colin never let anything bother him. “Colin, you’re scaring me a little. What’s going on?”
Colin practically threw a beacon at him. “We need you to come back. The timeline’s all over the place. Thank God no paradoxes. It’s a good thing the building is protected by the chronometric cocoon. Liam thinks it might be because you’re here in the past.”
“I can’t go back. The tribunal will reinstate the death penalty.” Ryan stated matter-of-factly.
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Boys of Belsmeade: Chapter 32 by Kazy Reed
I clutched Aramis’ hand as we walked into the drawing room of the count’s villa. All conversation ceased. Aurelia stood up and walked over to us. With a forced smile, she asked, “Could I speak to you in the study, boys?”
Aramis swallowed loudly and we followed her into the count’s private office. I hoped it was sound-proofed like Aristes’ was, because I had a feeling we were going to be our asses handed to us.
Aurelia put her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow. “Well?”
“Well what?” Aramis repeated. He evidently thought playing dumb would work.
Aesthetics of Invention: Part 24 by Ravon Silvius
Thorn sat on his bed, the bed he and Kenneth had shared the past few nights, and stared at the broken automaton. The pieces were brittle, the metal not warped even in the bits that weren’t bent out of shape. It wouldn’t have lasted long, which was typical of something bought at the journeyman’s fair.
But it would have been nice to have nonetheless. Kenneth would be nice to have nonetheless.
Thorn’s throat tightened, heat building behind his eyes. Fires, was this it? Their future together, over, because of a broken toy?
Fortitude: Part Twenty-three by Cia Nordwell
I blinked. “Why do you ask?” I spoke carefully, casually, but I could tell from their expressions my caution was like openly admitting my parents were up to something bad.
“Our parents sold us to the king,” Chester said bluntly. He crossed his arms over his chest. “Just like yours sold you, even if you don’t know it yet.”
Teddy’s mouth dropped open. “You can’t sell people.”
Chester snorted. Bart elbowed him. “I’m afraid it’s entirely possible. It’s not even that much of a stretch. What is apprenticeship, after all, but indentured labor? Do you really believe have a choice?”
Don’t Look Back #39 (7.6) by Julie Lynn Hayes
Lee slid a reassuring arm about Marshall’s shoulder. Marshall appreciated that he didn’t try to make light of his fears, or treat him like a child, but as an equal. Neither did he sweep the unpleasant subject under the rug and out of sight. Lee was one who faced things head on and dealt with them.
“Keep looking,” he said to Roy, who nodded. “We don’t even know we have a reason to worry. There’s no reason to think she even saw that video, but we can’t be too careful, either. I’d feel a whole lot more comfortable if we could get that thing pulled off the Internet. Is there a way of finding out who posted it?”
“Probably, but I’m afraid we’ll draw more attention to ourselves if we put up a fuss about it,” Roy replied, “then if we do nothing.”
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