Spark - ARC by Anthea Sharp

Author:Anthea Sharp [Sharp, Anthea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ya fantasy, fey, Fairies, science fantasy, computer gaimg, mmo, feyland series, ya romance
Publisher: Fiddlehead Press
Published: 2013-07-10T04:00:00+00:00

***

“Thanks, Vonda,” Spark said as the road crew finished hooking up her FullD system.

It took up most of the space in her hotel room, wedged between the bed and wall, but she wasn’t planning on sleeping much, anyway. She had a lot of simming to do.

During their takeout dinner, she’d convinced her manager to let her use the sim system to “work out the glitches” for the upcoming demos. Vonda had given her a funny look, but gave Spark permission to use a FullD for the evening.

“Get your mojo back,” Vonda said. “We load out at noon tomorrow. That’s all the sim time I can give you.”

“How far is it to the next gig?”

“Four hours. You’re on for the demo at six tonight, and I want you fresh and on your game, all right?” Vonda pointed at her.

“Yes, ma’am.” Spark saluted.

“Don’t stay up too late.”

“Mhm.”

“Good night then.” Vonda rolled her eyes as she shut the door, clearly understanding that Spark had made no promises.

Spark threw the deadbolt, checked to make sure the windows were locked and the curtains shut tight, then fired up her system. She didn’t relish the thought of an all-night marathon, but she might not get another chance to enter Feyland unobserved.

On the other hand, she couldn’t totally stint on sleep, or it would show during the demo appearances. She couldn’t afford any more slips, not with the Terabins waiting for her to falter.

One thing at a time. Her first job was to get in-game and help whoever had inadvertently stumbled into the Realm of Faerie.

She put on the helmet and gloves and activated Feyland. At the character screen, she paused. Should she make a new avatar, one better suited to solo questing?

She hovered over the description of the Knight, then shook her head. Straightforward melee fighting had never been her style. Plus she’d already mastered a few of her Kitsune’s tricks. Better to play a familiar class. If that didn’t work, she could start over with a new character. As if she had time to do that.

Before she could waste more time second-guessing, Spark flicked her fingers in the command to enter game. Spinning golden light enfolded her, and for once she welcomed the queasy sensation. She’d been worried that Feyland wouldn’t take her into the realm, but the feeling of transitioning out of the real world was unmistakable.

A moment later, she stood in the familiar sunlit clearing. Everything looked the same, except for one key difference. The mushrooms in the faerie ring encircling her were pale white, the color of moonlight. Proof that she was on the way to the Dark Court.

She checked that her weapons were in place, then strode down the path. The branches of the white-barked trees interlaced above her head, sending a lattice of shadows across the soft moss. Bright orange butterflies flickered in and out of shafts of sunlight, and the whole forest seemed peaceful and serene.

Too bad it was the anteroom to a land filled with evil fey folk. She had a few levels to go to reach the court, however—at least according to Jennet.

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