What’s on my iPod – Alibi by 30 Seconds to Mars

It’s the third Monday of the month and that means……

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published
books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t
have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to
share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday
site! or click on the banner above.

Okay there seems to be a slight confusion as to where the July post is on the EM page so I found it in archives and thought I would post the link here – http://excerptmonday.wordpress.com/2010/07/

This month I decided to change things up. No Young Adult Paranormal. Instead this is an excerpt from my Historical Romance titled The Rose and the Lion. It’s a back shelf story, and the first one I ever seriously wrote. Enjoy.

“There is more at play than you can even fathom, MacGregor. Your scope is too narrow.” Lendl laughed.

Elisabeth’s gaze froze as if she found the sound familiar.

Shouts of alarm echoed off the corridor walls as racing footsteps pounded and retreated against the flagstone. MacGregor and Lendl stood poised for attack but remained motionless, listening for movement outside the dead Emissary’s suites.

Blood slammed through Iain’s veins. Elisabeth was caught between them and was within a mere hand’s grasp of Lendl. Iain quickly analyzed all possible strategies, quelling the panic to the back of his mind.

As the voices faded, Lendl grabbed Elisabeth and jerked her in front of him. Her head thudded against his shoulder. A silver dagger glinted in the moonlight. The spy pushed the blade against the soft underside of her chin. Lendl backed toward the window, dragging her with him. MacGregor followed inch by careful inch.

Lendl twisted the blade, and she let out a small yelp, causing the deadly point to break the skin. Fear tried to sweep back through Iain’s senses. A warm trickle slid down her throat. Rage boiled in the Scotsman’s stomach. MacGregor changed his stance and lowered, ready to spring and pounce.

“Stay back,” Lendl spat.

He butted against the window, and with his free hand, he unlatched the sash, pushing wide the casement.

“Let her go. This is between you and I. You will not leave the castle alive with her”

“Of that I had no intentions.” Lendl smiled wickedly.

He lowered his hand, and Elisabeth darted for freedom. He lifted a boot and shoved her hard into Iain.

The Scotsman dropped his rapier as she stumbled into his arms. They tumbled into a chair. Lendl pummeled over the casement ledge with one hand and dropped out of sight. MacGregor pulled her up and planted her to the side as he darted to the window.  He slammed his fist on the ledge.

“Bloody bastard is gone.”

Elisabeth gently fingered the scrape under her neck. Iain offered a handkerchief but she slapped away his hand. “You lied to me.”

The corridor hummed with activity as voices carried louder, and the cries of alarm became more distinct.

“I wish I had time to fully explain,” Iain said.

“You are a spy and a murderer. I need no further explanation.” Heat crept up her neck and spread across her face in a crimson stain, hiding her freckles.

“Aye, perhaps, but I did not kill the Frenchman.” Iain scooped up his rapier and slid the blade into the sheath with a singing hiss.

At the moment, he didn’t care what the English lass thought he had or had not done. A pain squirmed in his stomach. He did care that he might not see her again.

“I was foolish to ever trust you,” Elisabeth said, her fingers wrapped around her throat.

Before he could answer, the sound of a large squad of guards halted on the other side of the door. It wouldn’t take them long to break it down. Iain swung one leg over the ledge.

“Where are you going?” She demanded.

“I’ve outstayed my welcome, lassie.”

With one hand braced against the window casement, he coiled the other around Elisabeth’s arm and dragged her to him. She protested with pounding fists against his chest. He just held her more firmly, silencing her with his feverish kiss. His lips pressed roughly against hers, forcing her to sigh. He thrust his tongue deep within her mouth. The sensation weakened his spine and melted the back of his knees. She pushed away and tried to slap him. He leaned outward and held the frame to prevent falling. A laugh burst, sweet and coarse, from the deep hollow of his chest.

“I offer you safe passage back to England, Elisabeth, but we must leave now.” Iain reached out his hand.

“I would rather see you swing from the gibbet.” She stepped away as if she expected him to force her.

The thought not only tickled the back of his mind, but settled some place quite a bit lower. Unfortunately, he was not in the habit of kidnapping.

***

****

“Links to other Excerpt Monday writers

Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and
be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.

WELCOME to those coming back and those who are new! We hope you find some fun and fabulous free reads.

Don’t forget to come back for the first Monday of August for New Release Monday. See what’s coming out and enter to win a free basket of New Releases.

As always, your hostesses Bria Quinlan (PG13) , Alexia Reed (R), Rachel Jameson (PG13) and Kendal Ashby (R) thank you for stopping by!

Joining us this week:

Jaleta Clegg, Science Fiction (PG 13)
Penny Dune, Romantic Suspense (PG 13)
Kaige, Historical Romance (PG 13)
Debbie Mumford, Contemporary YA Fantasy (PG 13)
Jeannie Lin, Historical (PG 13)
Jeanette Murray, Contemporary Romance (PG 13)
Dara Young, Steampunk (PG 13)
Ryan, Mystery (PG 13)

Kendal Ashby, Contemporary Romance (R)
Stephanie Draven, Paranormal Romance (R)
Lauren Fraser, (R)
Cate Hart, Historical Romance (R)
KJ Reed, Erotic Romance (R)
Ali Katz, Contemporary M/M (R)
Cherrie Lynn, Paranormal Romance (R)

Sara Brookes, Urban Fantasy Romance (NC 17)
Carly Carson, Futuristic (NC 17)
Lisa Fox, Paranormal/erotic romance (NC 17)
Bryl R. Tyne, Contemporary M/M/M (NC 17)

2 Responses to “Excerpt Monday July”