From the Dark Side Excerpt: Pearce Kilgour’s “Reflected Dreams”

And you thought there were only going to be two excerpts today… How else can we be expected to celebrate tomorrow’s grand release date than by sharing more excerpts? The third Thursday excerpt is from Pearce Kilgour’s “Reflected Dreams.” To find out more about Pearce, including some of his most fabulous flash fiction, visit his website.

Reflected Dreams

“Did you ever notice, your Majesty, that if you hold a mirror up to a mirror, there becomes a flaw?” He spoke over the shotgun, part of his mind calculated the wavelength of his voice echoing down the barrel. “The reflections stray and curve. A break in the structure emerges. The only way to get around it is to create a perfect mirror. Which is impossible. But I did.”

“Phillips, We are not amused.” She thumbed the safety, keeping it solidly aimed at the shaman’s head. “You will hand over the Teardrop. It does not belong to you.”

“How can it not Your Grace? I created it.” His bronze face broke into a grin. “And you have come to speak to the stars with it. But first you will have to learn how to speak. The vibration of your voice needs to be attuned to it. We should have started this weeks ago, the other nodes are reaching optimal distance.”

“You would defy your Sovereign?”

“Your guard should have killed me hours ago if I truly was defying Your Grace. So the question becomes, are you ready to try it alone? Speaking to the galaxy, that is.”

Her calm and reverent demeanor broke at his familiar tone, not acknowledging her Sovereignty. Queen Lilliana Valentina lifted her chin, her lips moved. Phillips recognized the subvocal mouth gestures, it was the fastest communication between her and her Royal Guard. Even though the Guard was stealthed, he could still hear the sighing of the updrafts against their glider wings.

Electric blue laser dots lighted along his body. He looked down in amusement, “Your Majesty, they cannot join us in our journey.”

“My journey.” She spoke in the familiar tone which almost startled Phillips. “Not yours, citizen.”

“I’m quite aware of the meddling you and your cousins have done in my lifetime. It has taken several years to undo the damage.” Phillips leaned on the lengthy walking staff.

“My cousins-”

“Her Duchess, or rather former Duchess and her attempts within Bedrock corporation. She did manage to steal my files once.” He smirked to her, trying to break that stolid gaze of Hers. “Although I’m quite sure that information should reach the media feeds soon. Your guard is not secure beyond your Captain at Arms. How do you think the drop in Brittania stock occurred half an hour after I reclaimed what is mine?”

“Stand down.” She lowered the shotgun, putting a hand up to her ear.

Phillips watched the laser sights blink off one by one. One singular aim, right at his chest.

“Captain, you have my orders. Stand down.” She took the white head band off and played with the controls. “Secure channel, broadcast is localized.”

“Sovereign,” The speaker in the headband erupted in slight snow and static. “There has been no breach-”