and Elyse’s story. I made Wrage so unlikeable in the beginning, I took special pains to have him really make up for it through the rest of the book. I hope he redeemed himself in your eyes. Sigh . . . the wreathing, the scenting, and allowing his lady love to dress him up in Desi Arnaz’s ruffled dress shirt. Ah, ya gotta love him. (I did have to draw the line at the tutti-frutti hat, though).
Early readers are clamoring for Slag’s book, and what do you know, I wrote “The End” to that this morning. He’s not yet up for sale, but he’s written and will have his own Amazon sales page shortly. Through most of the book I’d intended for Slag to be the next book in this Galaxy Gladiators Series, but he’s going to be Book Four in the Galaxy Pirates Series. Are you up to date on those books? You’ll find links to all those sexy pirates in the Who’s Who down below.
Scroll past the Sneak Peek of Slag for a Who’s Who and Glossary.
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Sneak Peek of Slag
This book begins prior to Wrage’s book and ends after it.
Prologue
Ten years ago . . .
A’Zul
“You look so much like your father,” my mother says, a loving smile on her face, her fingers cupping my cheek. “So handsome, with the same golden skin and long gold braid. I wish he was here to see this, the most important day of your life.” There’s a wistful look on her face, but she banishes it and forces a smile.
She’s right. I’ve waited my whole life for today, it’s not the time for sadness.
I’ll walk into the temple a boy—an um’rah—a person with a single form. When I leave I’ll be li’rah—a shifter. Worry and excitement stole my sleep last night.
Today is my eighteenth birthday. It’s when my people become li’rah. We are able to shift into a new form after the priest performs the ceremony. My people transform into creatures of the land, sea, or air. Some rare individuals shift into dragons. But one in every generation becomes az’rah—a chameleon who can shift into anything he wants.
My father was an az’rah. He was destined to lead my people until reapers stole him five rotations ago. Our planet is peaceful, all the tribes coexist. Other than the beasts from the north, we have no enemies except the reapers who visit our planet and steal the best of us. Sometimes they come two rotations in a row, other times they leave us alone for generations.
Mother grabs my hand and tugs me through the temple doorway. Almost everyone in the village is here, already seated. Many turn to look at me expectantly. I’ve heard the rumors—that I’ll be an az’rah like my father. We’ll know before sunset.
The high priest motions for me to join him on the dais. He’s in his finest robes, a tall hat of woven reeds from the banks of the Malee River stands on his head.
I shed my loincloth at his direction, then kneel before him as he says the prayers and casts the spell. He anoints my head with the sacred water from the source of the Malee River and intones more prayers—praises to the Gods and supplications for their generosity and protection.
Something shifts inside me. At first I convince myself it’s my imagination, but soon it can’t be denied. It’s as if a fist around my heart I didn’t know existed has released its hold. Something deep within me is liberated and expands, filling me to bursting.
I’ve heard stories about this as far back as I can remember, but there’s nothing that can prepare you for the feeling of another moving, breathing, sentient thing inside you.
My throat tightens as something swirls and grows and cracks open within. Although I’ve looked forward to this my whole life, this is the first moment I truly believe with my heart and soul that the change will happen.
My belly cramps. It’s almost like flames are licking at it, but the pain is beautiful. It signifies my metamorphosis.
“Now, A’Zul,” the priest says as he motions for me to stand. He anoints me again, then leans close and whispers one word in my ear. I’ve been told the word is a unique gift from the Gods that is whispered