Conduit 2: keeping us apart

Just a little teaser that snagged my attention while writing today. As always, these are the first words on the page and subject to a lot of tweaking over the next four drafts.

Content of note: mildly explicit language

Because I need the conversation to move much, much quicker, I offer a truth of my own, “My bonds have been … stripped from me.”

The Outcast frowns deeply. “That isn’t possible, even if you rejected —”

“I would never,” I insist, because I know that at least. I know it.

The Outcast flicks his gaze — questioning and clearly angry — to Rath and then Rought. “What have you done? Is this why Reck isn’t here?”

“This is about you,” Rath says roughly. “About your fucking secrets and how they might have impacted us. You knew Disa. You knew Zaya wasn’t dead. You let us believe —”

“I don’t get involved with the Conduit’s business. I protect as much as she’ll let me, but I no longer have the right —”

“We’re your blood!” Rath shoves his chair back. Then, finding himself standing with all of our attention on him, he paces, clearly trying to level out.

“Sit,” the Outcast says after a strained moment. The command is mild but pointed.

Rath stiffens, clearly thinking about ignoring, or at least trying to ignore, the essence-enforced demand. But then he throws himself into the chair. It creaks warningly under his weight. His gaze on his plate, he attempts to finish what remains of his breakfast in a few, fierce bites. Clearly stifling himself now.

I hadn’t really understood, not until watching Rath struggle in this moment, what it must be like to be on the other side of this all. Abandoned and forgotten by his soul bound mate. By me. And then to find out that our elders, those most trusted to guide and protect us, had knowledge of it. If not, more nefariously, a hand in keeping us apart.

– Snag (Conduit 2), first draft, chapter nine

Are you new to the Conduit World? While it’s not necessary to read all the interconnected series, the ideal reading order is as follows:

• Awry (Conduit 1)
• Grand Romantic Delusions and the Madness of Mirth, Part 1
• Grand Romantic Delusions and the Madness of Mirth, Part 2
• Snag (Conduit 2)(coming next!)

Please note: it is very likely that the Conduit World books will be going into KU in the next couple of months (around the time that the preorder for Snag is avail). If you prefer to purchase directly from other retailers, or me, that won’t be an option while they’re exclusive to KU. Snag will be available directly from me before it hits KU, promise. Just FYI!