For a ghost, he's not very dead -- #SciFi #Pietas @kayelleallen #Giveaway

By Kayelle Allen (Guest Blogger)

Thank you for letting me visit with you and your readers, Lisabet. I'm happy to be here! Since I conducted an interview with Pietas on another site recently, I thought it would be interesting to ask the same questions of Six, one of the major characters in Bringer ofChaos: Forged in Fire.

A short background on Six: he's human--or he was--but after being killed in battle, he was resurrected in a secret process, and inducted into the Ghost Corps. His mission was to fight Ultras, who are immortal beings with various psychic abilities and incredible strength.

When Six is marooned on Sempervia with an Ultra, the two of them have to depend on each other to survive. That story is in Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas. Forged in Fire is book two. Here's a bit about the story.

Forged in Fire...

When the immortal Pietas is marooned on a barren world with no food and few survival tools, he knows it could be worse. He could be alone. But that's the problem. He's not.

Half a million of his people sleep in cryostasis, trapped inside their pods and it's up to Pietas to free them. He can't release one at a time. It's all or nothing. He's facing over five hundred thousand hungry, thirsty, homeless immortals who will call on him for rescue and he has no way to answer.

It's not all bad. The beautiful telepathic warrior he's loved for lifetimes is at his side. He's bonded with a sentient panther. He hates humans but the one dumped on this planet with him has become a trusted friend.

Before Pietas can build shelter, figure out how to grow food, or set up a government, he must take back command from a ruthless enemy he's fought for centuries. His brutal, merciless father.

Immortals may heal, but a wound of the heart lasts forever...

Interview with Six

Six, how old are you?

I would have been thirty-nine, if I'd lived. You're wondering what I mean, I guess. I was special ops. A secret group highly trained to fight Ultras. I was killed in action, but I'd signed on with Ghost Corps. They resurrected me in a secret process Kayelle won't let me talk about on here. Anyway, I died when I was thirty-eight, but I'm not dead anymore. That's all I'm gonna say about that.

When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

Brown skin. Brown hair. Brown eyes. Sturdy kinda guy. Always needing a haircut. I'm not so ugly I can't get a date on payday.

What is people’s first impression of you?

I'm going with "who?" I tend to blend into the background and keep a low profile. You stay alive that way. Or you should.

Name three of your favorite things.

I always liked fishing and I get to do a lot of that where I'm at. I hunt too, for food, not sport. Is that one thing or two? I'm sayin' it's two. So for third, I'll go with dancing slow with a fast woman.

Name three things that tick you off.

Hope this doesn't sound stuck up but being ignored. You know, when people look right through you like you're not even there. Man, I hate that. Being lied to. Being used by one person to hurt another person. I can't tell you details, 'cause Kayelle says that's a "spoiler" so I'll just say you'd know right away what I'm talking about if you read the book. You come up to that scene, you're gonna go, "Ah ha! That's what Six was talkin' about. That's it right there." And trust me, it'll make you plenty mad too. Yeah. Just read it. Man, that cranks my jaw.

What would you like it to say on your tombstone?

He had a lot of chances and he took every one of 'em.

What is your favorite song?

I would have said something completely different before I heard this one song the other day. It's called “Forged in Fire”. Thing is, the song isn't all that special. What made it unforgettable is who sang it. Kayelle shared it in her book about Pietas. You should read that. I'm not admitting to anything in public.

What would you most like to forget?

That I ever believed the lies I was told about Ultras. Man, I had it all wrong. All of it.

Are you close to family?

My grandmother raised me. I had a lot of cousins and other family before I joined Ghost Corps. I'll never see any of them again. Once you're a ghost, you're as good as dead.

What is your most prized possession?

I can't tell you how I got it 'cause that's another one of those spoiler things. But I can tell you it's a rusty knife. I know, I know. A warrior ought to have a good blade. But this one... let's just say I get a real kick out carrying it where a certain person can see it. You'll like that scene too, same as me. Read the book. You'll know it when you get to it.

In this scene from Bringer of Chaos: Forged in Fire, we get a peek at the weird weather on Sempervia. It's not like Earth's. It's dangerous to be out in a storm. When a mini-tornado wreaks havoc, Pietas, the immortals' king, finds himself in an awkward situation. This scene is from his point of view. He and Six are with four other Ultras who are trying to reach shelter.

~~~

The sky turned tornado-green. A few fat drops of rain slid down Pietas's neck, leaving a cold trail in the heat. A few others smacked his hair and face. These scouts warned of the threatening army advancing. Higher up, ominous thunderclouds glowed a menacing pink and orange.

They picked up the pace. In the distance, the oncoming storm blackened the sky. The wind whistled, calling its dogs to hunt.

Icy fingers dragged down his spine. Pietas swallowed, fighting back bile.

The hill they'd crested led down to a jagged claw-rip of darkness, a slash in the velvet forest forming a lightless, foreboding tunnel. The coffin-shaped slice emptied into an abyss of shadow, swallowing every indication of depth and life.

Despite knowing he needed to hurry, Pietas slowed his step, dragging his bare feet through straw-colored grass. Turning in a slow circle, he held out his injured arms as high as he could and lifted his face to the cloud-covered sun, a child wanting one more minute outdoors before bedtime. He cherished the open air and light, unwilling to relinquish the beauty of his freedom.

"Pietas!" Joss called to him. She'd gotten far ahead. "Come on!"

He started toward her. The forest maw ratcheted open like the unhinged jaw of a snake. An uneven patch of ground beneath a foot cost him his balance. Pietas stumbled, tripped, and threw out his hands to break his fall. He landed on hands and knees and then sat, cross-legged. His scraped palms stung and bled. A potent swear word flew to mind, but he denied it voice.

His sister slowed as she passed, but didn't speak. If an Ultra did not ask for help, none was offered.

The twins, however, tasked with guarding the party, did stop. Aid was their duty.

"Guys." Six stooped next to him. "You go ahead. I'll stay with Pi."

Pietas flicked his fingers. Without a response, the twins joined Dessy.

Joss looked up and around at the sky. "Pietas, I'll wait for you."

"No, go ahead. The rain's almost here. I'll join you under the trees."

When she had gone, he examined his palms. The injury had healed.

"How's the ankle?"

"Fine, ghost." He wiped off his hands.

His friend studied him, glanced toward the forest. "Gotcha." Six stood.

When Pietas shifted to rise, Six offered a hand.

"Thanks, but I can manage." He stood and brushed himself off.

The wind picked that moment to set a dust devil whirling into the sand and dried grasses around them. It flew up, stinging exposed skin.

Six covered his eyes. "Oh, man!"

Pietas shielded his own. The whirlwind ripped the cloth tie holding back his hair and whipped strands into his face. He tried facing into the wind, but the circular current spun the tresses back into his eyes. As fast as it had risen, the wind subsided.

His long hair, full of static electricity from the wind and storm, settled over his shoulders and adhered to his neck. He was unable to lift his arms to gather it himself. He refused to let the others see he needed help and he did not want Six fretting over it.

The man blamed himself for the injury. Yes, Six had bound Pietas. It had been Six's duty to do so. In truth, those who had placed Pietas inside the pod and refused to release him were to blame, but no matter how often he reminded Six of that, the ghost refused to relinquish his guilt.

Six dug into his pockets. "I have another strip." They had torn several from a ragged shirt. Six wore the biggest piece around his neck. He set down his pack and opened it.

"Six," Pietas hissed. He did not turn his head, but looked toward the others. "Leave it!"

The ghost glanced up at him, then the immortals, waiting ahead. "You want the women messing with your hair? Is that it?"

He closed his eyes, counting to ten. To a hundred would not erase this embarrassment. "No." When he beheld Six, the man had the discourtesy to smirk. "Don't look at me in that tone of voice."

Forged in Fire is on Amazon and in print.  

Free on Kindle Unlimited   http://amzn.to/2ABIcCI

This book has no profanity or explicit content, but lots of angst, a little humor, some sweet romance, and a ton of betrayal with plenty of vengeance. Plus a ginormous, sentient panther who wants to be Pietas's "kitty."

 

Giveaway

Here is a free adult coloring book to download and print, based on my character, Pietas. If you like dragons, you will love this. I hope you enjoy it! It contains original art. http://bit.ly/color-pietas

Kayelle Allen writes Sci Fi with misbehaving robots, mythic heroes, role playing immortal gamers, and warriors who purr. She's a US Navy veteran and has been married so long she's tenured.

https://kayelleallen.com

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