Cogs in Time Anthology (The Steamworks Series) by Stovall Catherine & Clark Cecilia & Gatton Amanda & Craven Robert & Ketteman Samantha & Michaels Emma & Marlow Faith & Stevens Nina & Staum Andrea & Adams Zoe & S.J. Davis & D. Dalton

Author:Stovall, Catherine & Clark, Cecilia & Gatton, Amanda & Craven, Robert & Ketteman, Samantha & Michaels, Emma & Marlow, Faith & Stevens, Nina & Staum, Andrea & Adams, Zoe & S.J. Davis & D. Dalton [Stovall, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing
Published: 2014-01-08T00:00:00+00:00

***

A high-pitched whining noise roused Domaroc from his slumber. Quanda was nowhere to be seen, and it was, according to the stars he could see, late into the night. He tried to place the sound that was foreign to the jungle, and until it changed to a consistent hum, he couldn’t.

“The airship!” he shouted and tried to scramble to his feet on legs that wouldn’t support him.

Quanda was at his side before he fell to the ground. “This way, Kitten.” She supported him as his unused legs remembered how to walk.

“What’s going on, Quanda?” Domaroc asked as he pushed some vines away from their path.

“The men who helped Navarro revolt have betrayed him. They have killed most of the crew and taken your ship.” Quanda forced him to a faster pace.

“Not all of the crew?”

“Some chose to go with the betrayers.”

He tripped over a root and asked, “What of Navarro?”

“He wasn’t in the camp at the time. I am taking you to him.”

“How far is he?” Domaroc asked pulling her down as he tried to stand.

After a few yards of going through more thick jungle, Quanda pushed aside the curtain of foliage to reveal the original camp clearing. Navarro was pacing between two fire pits, cursing up at the departing airship.

The hum of the airship faltered, replaced by the screeching of metal grinding against metal.

“The converter!” Domaroc groaned. “We need to get out of the clearing.” He pulled Quanda back.

“What are you doing, Dom?” Navarro shouted.

“Listen to it!” Domaroc pointed to the ship. “The converter is overloading!”

Navarro’s eyes widened as he realized what Domaroc was talking about and started to sprint out of the clearing as the converter exploded.

Parts of the falling airship rained down on the clearing and surrounding jungle.

Before Domaroc could react, Quanda pushed him into a large, hollowed-out tree. She disappeared for a moment before returning.

“The ship is down and the jungle is on fire. We need to leave quickly,” she said.

“What of Navarro?” he asked, staring at the flames that were starting to creep closer.

“He is unconscious in the clearing,” she answered pulling at his arm to make him come with her.

“We have to rescue him.”

She shook his head. “You can barely walk and he’s dead weight. I’d rather take my chance with you.”

“I can’t just leave him! He’s my leader.”

“Kitten, you can’t be serious?” She rolled her eyes. “Remember what I told you the Ranar’s belief of fallen warriors is?” Quanda turned from him.

“Quanda, I can’t do it without you.” He grabbed her wrist. “The Ranar are no more!”

She turned back, slashing out with her claws. “Because of him! He,” she pointed to the clearing, “killed my clan.”

“Quanda,” Domaroc’s expression softened. “By taking care of me, you abandoned your clan.”

“You, I will look after. Fate has decided to leave him. Now are you coming or not?”

Domaroc followed Quanda out of the hollow tree and looked to the clearing. In spite of the past day’s rain, the dead underbrush was burning fast and the flames were almost upon them.