My mind is so full of the fears and excitement as we near November, not just because Nanowrimo will begin, but there is the coming election to consider.

Now, I know I will (and have) ranted a bit about a certain woMAN who seems to think more like the old white guy network then most of the guys do, so to give you a break from that part of my thought pattern, here’s a few excerpts from my soon to be submitted sequel to Ancestral Magic, now titled Shadow Magic.

I want to thank the hard working betas who have scrambled in their busy lives to help me pull this one together, and Goddess willing, this should be ready to submit to PD before November. Remember folks, this is pre pro edits, but I hope ya’ll will enjoy anyways.
 

“I remember working with your mother and grandmother down here.” Lily’s voice took on a melancholy tone. “It seems a lifetime ago.”

“I forgot. Kiely said you trained with my grandmother.” Sky moved off the last step and turned to face her.

Lily smiled and took Sky by the hand, squeezing it once. “That’s why it makes me so happy to be training you now. It’s my way to give back for all the time your grandmother spent teaching me.”

The shared sadness lessened the pain as Sky thought back to her memories of her Grandmother Kai. For so many years those memories lay buried deep within her, but since Sky’s awakening it was like reliving her life all over again. Most of the time she felt like a different person, foreign in her own body. Zoya insisted those feelings would pass as she got to know herself, the real Sky, not the one crafted by her parents out of fear and grief.

***

Meg turned to go back inside, and froze as Roger’s hand connected with her shoulder. “Hold on. I want to talk about what happened in town today.”

She yanked away from his touch and continued inside. “Well, I don’t.”

Roger grabbed the front door before it slammed into his face and muttered something inaudible to Drake. Then he entered the foyer and shut the door behind him. “You can’t just forget it happened. You could’ve been killed.”

“It was an accident.” Meg insisted. She didn’t know if she believe that, but she didn’t want to think about the alternative. “You’re making a big deal about nothing.”

“I’m not sure I believe that.” He took a step toward her, but didn’t try to touch her again. “I worry about you. All of you.”

She held up a hand to cut Roger off, without ever looking at his face. “We’re fine.”

“But, Meg.”

“I said we’re fine and I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” Her voice was low, almost a snarl, but she couldn’t help it. Even after Sky ended things with him the guy couldn’t take a hint and stay the hell away. Roger’s friendship with Drake was the only reason she even put up with him.

“Make sure Drake gets something to eat. Sky and I don’t want him staying out on the porch all night.” Without another word Meg stormed up the stairs. She did it again, let Roger get to her, set her on edge. Meg knew if she didn’t get a handle on her jealousy he’d win and there was no way she’d let that happen.

***

“It’s what I feared,” said Bethany Harper in a low tone. So close to the dancing flames the Harper matriarch’s hair seemed a part of them. “The tribunal did an investigation on the factory a few years ago, but they found nothing they could charge the owners with. It’s aggravating to feel like your hands are tied, and the Sect are getting away with murder.”

“It the way it’s always been.” Zoya sighed and pulled a strand of gray hair out of her face. “We can’t even all agree on whether or not the Sect exists, much less have a united front against their evil.”