“The front door swung open and a gust of wind rushed inside. Boots scuffled along the floor, and Camille turned to see what pig had shown up at Daphne’s so early in the day. Her heart thumped as the door… — Angie Frazier Copy Share Image
“Holy gallnipper, how long till we hit the magic trail? It’s gloomier than my own funeral I here.” Camille adjusted the bag’s rope and looked at Ira. “Don’t even joke about that.” Since the moment they’d entered the forest, she’d felt like something was listening. Like they’d woken some sleeping creature, and now it followed them with silent cunning. The… — Angie Frazier Copy Share
“Oscar pushed a strand of her loose raven hair behind her ear, and Camille knew she hadn’t completely failed. The man she loved, and who loved her, was alive when, under all normal circumstance, he shouldn’t be. How could that be seen as failure? “You know, and I know.” Oscar paused to take a breath. “William would never have approved… — Angie Frazier Copy Share
“It’s already midmorning, and we’ve got beasts to outrun, holes to avoid, and whopper spiders to squish before we make it back to the Lady Kate. ” Camille picked up the map. Oscar took Camille’s arm and helped her up the first boulder. “Well, aren’t we a sorry-lookin’ lot?” Ira bellowed as they limped up the cascade, each one nursing… — Angie Frazier Copy Share
“Oscar, we’re alive and in Melbourne and that’s all that matters.” The door clicked shut behind him. He placed the bowl on the dresser… — Angie Frazier Copy Share Image
“I’m sorry,” she said, wishing she could say something more meaningful. “I’m not. If he’d been a good uncle, I’d have stayed in Boston. Never would have found my way to San Francisco,” he said. Camille knew where the rest of his story led and grinned. “And you never would have rescued my father from a pickpocket,” she added. He… — Angie Frazier Copy Share
“Let’s get some sleep,” he whispered. “Before dawn we’ll see what we can gather up.” His eyes rested on her forehead, on the new bruises and gashes from the Juggernaut blast. “You look awful,” he said. Camille narrowed her eyes to slits. She grabbed the lamp from his hands. “Thank you very much.” “I didn’t mean it like that,” he… — Angie Frazier Copy Share
“The stone is not a plaything for little girls, Camille.” He hardened his stare. She tried to keep her eyes equally fierce. “The path to the stone is said to be riddled with traps, endless holes in the earth where you fall forever. Deep caves shelter a species of enormous beasts that protect the stone. Men who set out to… — Angie Frazier Copy Share
“Didn’t I advise you to forget the stone? Didn’t I tell you it would be mine? Look at everything you’ve lost.” He threw the sack over the ornate teal stone, pulled a cord tight around the sack’s opening, and lifted it from its resting place without placing a single finger on it. “And look at everything I’ve gained.” His sailors… — Angie Frazier Copy Share
“I’ll need a deposit, of course. I think that’s where your ring comes in handy.” Ira extended his open hand toward Camille. She took off the sapphire and slapped it into his palm. “And McGreenery?” Oscar asked. Ira nodded and threw his hat back on. He pulled it tight and grinned from ear to ear. “Leave him to me, mates.… — Angie Frazier Copy Share
“Was that a wolf?” Camille asked Ira, who was bent over the fire. The echoing howl faded in the crackle of the wood. “No… — Angie Frazier Copy Share Image
“Life just changes. Like a stormy headwind, Camille thought. First blowing the sails in one direction and then, without warning at all, shifting course.” — Angie Frazier Copy Share Image
“So the highlands?” Ira nodded and tugged the reins, moving up the trail. Oscar swung his rifle to the back, away from Camille. She slid down the dip in the saddle; the press of her body against Oscar’s was unladylike, even for her. She imagined Randall’s rigid glare if he saw her right then, cradled in Oscar’s protective arms. Could… — Angie Frazier Copy Share
