No Dominion The Walker Papers - By CE Murphy Page 0,122
silvery-blue magic stuffed in the pin hole, keeping it from detonating. She gave it a casual toss that had great upper body strength behind it, and a few seconds later it exploded at a safe distance. Then she looked down at me. “I hope you don’t mind me putting the kibosh on that last thing. I’m sure you could have handled it, but I was in the area. I take it you defeated the bad guy?”
I nodded.
She crouched. Her hands dangled in front of her knees, above my sternum. “Got your ass kicked doing it, too, hm?”
I nodded.
“Couldn’t wait a couple hours for me to get down here to help, huh?”
I shook my head. Joanne grinned. “Yeah, I wouldn’t have either when I was your age. I didn’t. All the time, I didn’t. I tell you, Ash, hook up with one of the Holliday kids. Get a little mojo on your side to go with the impressive martial arts skills. Clara’s single.”
I closed my eyes. Joanne laughed out loud and ruffled my hair. “Good news is you’re only bruised all to hell and back, sweetheart. Hang on a second and let me patch you up. It’ll make getting out of here easier.”
The drink-of-water-in-a-desert magic rushed me. It pushed away all my aches and pains, until I could tell my spine hurt because a rock was sticking in it. My feet were numb because of the rock’s location, not because I’d shattered anything. I exhaled deeply, more relieved than I wanted to admit.
Joanne curled her hands around mine and pulled me to my feet. I was four inches shorter, twenty years younger, and with far less magical aptitude than she, but she punched my shoulder like we were equals. “You okay?”
“I think so.”
“Good. There’s a diner with the best milkshakes in Washington about twenty or thirty miles back up the road. Let’s go there and you can tell me all the ways you’re more awesome than I am.” She turned and slipped back down the mountainside, sending scree in bouncing waves before her. I followed more slowly, testing muscle and reflex reactions in the wake of the beating I’d taken. Nothing hurt anymore. I felt like I was fresh out of bed, ready to face the day.
I picked up a tiny stone and winged it at Joanne, catching her on the butt. She yelped, rubbed it, and turned around. “What was that for?”
“I just wanted to say if I had to slay the demon, you’re buying the milkshakes.”
Joanne grinned and waited for me to catch up. Then she slung an arm around my shoulders and tipped her head toward the distant diner. “Absolutely, darlin’. It’s a date.”
We hobbled down the hill together, and went for milkshakes.
Also by C.E. Murphy
The Walker Papers
Urban Shaman
Winter Moon*
Thunderbird Falls
Coyote Dreams
Walking Dead
Demon Hunts
Spirit Dances
Raven Calls
Mountain Echoes
No Dominion**
Shaman Rises (Dec 2013)
*contains the novella “Banshee Cries”
**A Garrison Report
The Old Races Universe
Heart of Stone
House of Cards
Hands of Flame
The Old Races: Origins
The Old Races: Year of Miracles
The Old Races: Aftermath
Baba Yaga’s Daughter & Other Tales of the Old Races
The Worldwalker Duology
Truthseeker
Wayfinder
The Inheritors’ Cycle
The Queen’s Bastard
The Pretender’s Crown
& with Faith Hunter
Easy Pickings
A Walker Papers/Jane Yellowrock rossover novella
Anthologies
Don’t Read This Book
Dragon’s Lure
The Phantom Queen Awakes
Running with the Pack
How to Write Magical Words: A Writer’s Companion
Acknowledgements
There are literally hundreds of people to thank for NO DOMINION, but some of you have earned a special and particular shout-out:
Russ Smith, a long-time friend who was NO DOMINION’s first backer
Chrysoula Tzavelas, another long-time friend who mananged to sneak in as the last pledge/upgrade
Bryant Durrell, without whom none of my crowdfunding projects would have ever happened, and who also tipped this crazy ride over the $20K mark
Erica Olson, who told me to squee more
Fred Hicks/Evil Hat Publishing, for the InDesign tutorials that helped put this book in your hands
Mary-Theresa Hussey, my Walker Papers editor, who not only edited NO DOMINION as well, but whose faith and interest in the project was such that she bought in—even after I told her I’d send her a copy of it anyway
Kyle Cassidy & Charles Summerfield, for bringing Gary to life in the cover art
Patrick S. Dixon, Angie Middleton & Paul-Gabriel Wiener, for lending me photography for the calendar
Jim Hameister, for going above and beyond the call of duty
Tom & Rosie Murphy, my parents, who not only did beta-reading & editorial commentary on NO DOMINION, but babysat as well, which became critical as the story ballooned from a 30K novella to a 60K book
and
Ted Lee, my husband, who was serenely confident that in fact everyone would like to read Gary’s story, and who was, as usual, right.
Patron Acknowledgements
Angela N. Hunt,Adrianne Middleton,agrimony,Aidan Barron,Ailsa,ajah
Alana Leahy,Alecia Ramsay,Aleis Maxim,Alice Ma,Alicia Bennett
Alis Rasmussen,Alison Marlowe,Allison Davis,Althea Clark,Amanda
Amanda Claxton,amanda Lane,Amanda Priole,Amanda Weinstein
Amber Salem,Amelinda Webb,Amy Blume,Amy King,Amy Nesbitt
Ana Ramsey,Andrea Blythe,Andy Wilson,Angela Bills,Angela Korra’ti
Angie,Anne Walker,Anne Pascale Quinty,April Koenig,arfunk
Ariane Tobin,Ariannah Wetherbee,Ashlee Thow,ashley crump,audrey salick
Axisor,Barbara Erwin,Barbara Hasebe,Becka Green Reed,Benoit Jauvin-Girard
Bernadette Constant,Beth Cato,Beth Leitman,Beverly Scrivner,Blair
Blake Gilbert,Bradetta,Brandy Terry,Breanne,Brenda Jernigan
Bretaigne Jones,Brian Nisbet,Brianna Agnew,Bryant Durrell
Buddah,CA Brandstatter,cailleuch,Cari McAskill,Carin Robertson
Carl Rigney,Carmon Williams,Carol Gabel,Carol Gagneaux,Carol Guess
Carolina Pardo,Caroline Elliott,Casey Goodwin,Casse,Cat,Cat Wilson
Catherine Fiorello,Catherine Kruta,Catherine Sharp,Catherine Stevenson
Caytlin Vilbrandt,Char Bernardin,Charlotte Calvert,Cheri Seymour,Chiray
Chris Huning,Chris Meravi,Christal Serrato,Christer Boräng,christina hightower
Christine Chen,Christine H. Lee,Christine McCann,Christine Swendseid
Chrysoula Tzavelas,Chrystin McLelland,Cindy Crawford,Claire,Coby Haas
Colette Reap,Cori Weisfeldt,Cylia Amendolara,Cyndi,Cynnara Tregarth
Cynthia Teare,Cyrano Jones,D Walther,Daisy Brown,Dan Zlotnikov
Daniel Arbuckle,Daniel Martin,Danielle Ingber,Dave Entermille,Deanna Zinn
Debbie Matsuura,Deborah Alverson,Deborah Blake
Debra Meyerson,defektesmosaik,Deirdre,Denee Zah, Denise,Denise Matthews
Denise Sanchez,Diana,Diana Morgan,Diana Rae McKinney,Diane Dupey
Diane G. Phillips,Diane Schultz,Dianne Williams,Dina Willner
Donal Cunningham,Donald McAtee,donna antonio,Donna K White,Edward Ellis
el edwards,Elektra Hammond,Elena Eddings,Eleri Hamilton
Eliel Mamousette,Elizabeth,Elizabeth B Handler,Elizabeth Cadorette
Elizabeth Spillman and Kyle Engan,Elizabeth Turner,Ella Peabody,Elli Ferguson
Emily Ervin,Emily Poole,Emily Sandoval,Emma,Emma Bartholomew
Erica L. Rodriguez,Erin,Erin Moore,Esperanza Jimenez,Evenstar Deane
FaolchuDonn,Farrell Maginnis,Flynn,Fred Hicks/Evil Hat Publishing,Freya
Gabe Krabbe,Gareth,Garrett Jones,Gemma Tapscott,Genista
Georgina Scott,Gerri Lynn,Glenn Case,Glenna Gregg,Gretchen S.
H. L. Henrikson,Harold Zable,Heather Devine,Heather Fagan,Heather Joubert
Heather Knutsen,heather longino,Heidi Berthiaume,Helen Katsinis,Holly Tidd
Ian Struckhoff,IndianaJ,Inkjade,Irish,Jacki,Jackie Powers,Jaime Deming,James Scott
Jami Nord,Jamie Bentley,Janell,Janelle Hansen,Janne Torklep,Jean Eelma
Jean Marie Diaz,Jean Tatro,Jeanie Fortman,Jeanine Rachau,Jeannette Hoffman
Jeff Linder,Jeliza Patterson,Jeni Young,jenica rogers,Jenn,Jennifer,Jennifer,jennifer adams
Jennifer Canova,Jennifer Chun,Jennifer R.,Jennifer Vail,Jennifer Wiewel Westberg
Jess Hartley,Jess Westphal,Jesse Cunningham,Jessica,Jessica Lynn Qualls
Jill Valuet,Joann,JoAnne G.,Joe Tortuga,Joerg Ritter,John,John Corrigan
John Johnson,Joshua,Joy Whitfield,Joyce Haslam,jppoet,Judith Cauthan
Julene Warwick,Julia Figueroa,Julian West,Julie Kuhn
Justine Birmingham,K’Lynn,kamalloy,Karen Krettler,Karolina Chmiel,Kat Bonson
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Kathleen,Kathleen Hanrahan,Kathleen Hopper,Kathleen Tipton,Kathryn Duffy
Kathy,Kathy Schroeder,Katie Clapsadl,katintheboots,Katrina Lehto,Kayla Lowes
Kaz D’Spana,Kell,Kelley,Kelly,Keri Hayes,Kerry,Kerry Kuhn,Kes Yocum,Kiely
Kiera Knapp,Kim,Kim Miller,Kim Wells,Kimberly Reis,Kira Noseworthy
Kori Klinzing,Kris Panchyk,Kristian Holvoet,Kristine Kearney,Kristy Moen
Kristyn Willson,Krumpff,Kyna Foster,L Welch,Lacey Ruby
Lara Amber Zia,Larisa LaBrant,Laura,Laura Anne Gilman,Laura Carscaddon
Laura Pearson,Laura Wallace,Lauren Bassett,Lauri Weaver,Laurie Gaughan
LD Steele,Leading Edge,Leah Moore,Leigh Ann Melloy,Lessa McDonald
Lexi Taylor,Lia Hunter,Lianne,linda,Linda Cox,Linda George,Linda Pierce
Lindsay Stalcup,Lindsey Snelling,Liralen,Lisa,Lisa Cali,Lisa Carlton Guertin
Lisa Cohen,Lisa Moore,Lisa Pegg,Lisa Soto,Lisa Stewart,Liz,Liza
Liza Hernandez,llwheeler,Lola McCrary,Lori Allen,Lori Long,Lori Lum
Lorri-Lynne Brown,Louise Southwick,Lydia Leong,Lyn Mercer,Lynette Miles
Lynn Mershon Calvin,Maggie Gillet,Maggie Rocheleau,Mandy Gregory Doherty
Marcia Carney,Marcia Dougherty,Maresa Welke,Margaret A. Menzies
Margaret Anderson,Margaret McGaffey Fisk,Maria,Maria Lima,Marilyn Fisher
Marjorie,Marjorie Liu,Mark Mathison,Mark O’English,Mark Sutter
Marsha Simmons,Martin Curley,Mary Agner,mary anne walker,Mary Hargrove
Mary Keefe,mary scioscia,Mary Spila,Marytheresa Hussey,Matt Forbeck
Matthew Hunter,Maura van der Linden,Max Kaehn,melissa
Melissa Poole,Melissa Tabon,Meredeth Brewer,MeriLyn Oblad,Michael Bernardi
Michael Feldhusen,Michael Metzger,Michael Nickerson,Michael Perkins,MichaelMJones
Michelle Bennett,Michelle Carlson,Michelle Curtis,Michelle Edwards,Michelle Ossiander
Michelle Williams,Mikaela,Mike Osterman,Mindy Albright,Minerva
Moira,Morag Watson,mvshoobridge,Nancy Weston,Nanette Furman,Niall Murphy
niamhob,Nick Austin,Nicole,Noriko Shoji,Octopus Gallery,Pam Blome
Pam East,Pam Hatler,Pamela Shaw,Pat Knuth,Patricia Lockard
Patsy Tisdale,Paul Bulmer,Paul-Gabriel Wiener,Paula Stambaugh,Penni Askew
Phiala,Philip Obermarck,Piper Rainey,Poppy Arakelian,Priscilla Spencer
R Caldwell,R. Francis Smith,Rachel,Rachel Chiapparine,Rachel Coleman Finch
Rachel Gollub,Rachel Gordon,Rachel Narow,Rachel Vance,Rebecca Frey
Rebecca Studley,regis,RevBob,Robert Fisher,Robert Lynch,Robert Smith
Robin Owens,Robyn Huffman,Rolanni,Ron Chance,Rosanne Girton,Ruth,Ruth Parrott
S Hackemann,Sabine Wiem,Sam Dailey,Sam Marks,Sam Martin,Samanda Jeude
Sandra Mraz,Sandy Davis,Sandy Giden,Sara Blackmore,Sara Harville,Sarah Brooks
Sarah Lam,Scot McIntosh,Scott Drummond,Scott Shanks,Scott Tengelin
Sean Collins,Sebastien How,Shannon Scollard,Shanon Hite,Sharis Ingram
Sharon Broggi,Shawn Tumey,Sheila Lester,Shel Kennon,Shelley Shearer
Silkie & Image & the Weasels,Sherri Marx,shylydrya,Siobhain McShane-Loy,sjmathis
soapturtle,Somm,spacedlaw,Steelneko,Stephana Bekebrede
Stephanie,Stephanie,StevenM,SueAnne Merrill,Sumi Funayama
Summer Allen,Susan Baur,Susan Petroulas (Suelder),Suzanne Blasi
Suzanne McLeod,Taiyo,Tammy Graves,Tania Clucas,Tantris Hernandez
Tanya Koenig,Tara F.,Tara Smith,Tara Teich,Tarja Rainio
Tennille,Teresa Lessard,terrio,Therese Bui,Tiffiny Quinn
Tim Bowie,Tina Kulesa,Traci Horton,Tracie Bogart,Trudy Dowling
Valentine Lewis,ValkyrieAK,Van der Jonckheyd,Vickie Chan,Victoria Hench
virginia morris,Weirdonian,Wendy,Wolf,Yukon Beulah,Zephfire,Þorbjörg Bergmann
About the Author
C.E. Murphy began writing around age six, when she submitted three poems to a school publication. The teacher producing the magazine inevitably selected the one she thought was by far the worst, but also told her to keep writing, which she has. She has held the usual grab-bag of jobs usually seen in an authorial biography, including public library volunteer, archival assistant, cannery worker, and web designer. Writing books is better.
She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland, which is a magical land where it rains a lot but winter rarely actually arrives.
More information about C.E. Murphy, her career, and her writing can be found at cemurphy.net, facebook.com/cemurphywriter and twitter.com/ce_murphy.
That should hold ya. :)
Table of Contents
Magic Hath an Element
Rabbit Tricks
Forgotten But By A Few
Petite
No Dominion
The Rising Green
Band-Aids and Bog-Men
Twenty Years After
Also by C.E. Murphy
Acknowledgements
Patron Acknowledgements
About the Author
Table of Contents
Magic Hath an Element
Rabbit Tricks
Forgotten But By A Few
Petite
No Dominion
The Rising Green
Band-Aids and Bog-Men
Twenty Years After
Also by C.E. Murphy
Acknowledgements
Patron Acknowledgements
About the Author
Table of Contents
Magic Hath an Element
Rabbit Tricks
Forgotten But By A Few
Petite
No Dominion
The Rising Green
Band-Aids and Bog-Men
Twenty Years After
Also by C.E. Murphy
Acknowledgements
Patron Acknowledgements
About the Author