Cut Scene from Dark Currents

In my Self-publishing Adventures post on Monday, I wondered aloud (well, on the screen) what people thought I should blog about here (since I’ve moved most of the self-publishing stuff to a new site). There were several requests for tidbits about my books and characters (in other words, my characters are way more interesting than I am, but I already knew that :D).

More than one person has hinted about cut scenes or extras, so…why not?

This was a conversation between Amaranthe and Sicarius that took place shortly before they left for the mountains in Dark Currents. Since they didn’t get back to the city until the epilogue, I ended up cutting this thread and most of the references to Rockjaw, a fellow I was working in as a disreputable ally.

* * *

“Rockjaw mentioned something about you that I wasn’t aware of,” Amaranthe said.

Sicarius said nothing. She wondered if he had an inkling of what she meant to bring up.

“Apparently the word is out amongst our demimonde that you’re available for the assassination of Emperor Sespian, should someone want to hire you.”

Again he said nothing.

“I assume this is so you can easily find and kill people who are planning Sespian’s demise. Naturally, they’d want to hire the best, so they’d go to you first. At which point…” She dragged a finger across her throat. “While I can understand your reasoning, the emperor has an intelligence network, doesn’t he? He’s sure to hear about this. It won’t endear you to him, and it’ll make our mission — our goal of expiation — harder.”

Sicarius’s expression had gone from unreadable to unfriendly. He did not want to discuss this. After what had happened the last time she probed into his personal affairs, she could understand that, but surely his plan had a few flaws. She had to say so, or what kind of comrade would she be?

“I know I’m not the wisest person you know, or even the wisest person in this room, but I think your choice may possibly need…the teeniest bit of reconsideration.”

“Really.”

“What happens when you get hired?” Amaranthe asked.

“I kill the hirer.”

“Right, so what happens when you’ve killed several people?”

“Nothing yet.”

“You mean you’ve already…?”

Amaranthe interpreted his silence as an affirmative. She could not blame him for killing someone who plotted to kill Sespian, but… “Eventually it’ll get out that you’re not doing the job people are hiring you for, and folks will wonder why you’re protecting Sespian. Maybe they’ll pry. Maybe they’re trade notes and put things together, realize he could be used as a lever against you. Maybe your actions have already given them enough to talk about.”

“Maybe not everybody talks as much as you,” Sicarius said coolly.

Amaranthe looked away, stung. She was giving too much of a lecture. He didn’t appreciate it. Or her wagging tongue.

Fine. She had voiced her concerns. He could consider them, or not.

She headed for the door.

Sicarius caught her with a hand to the shoulder. Amaranthe braced herself, fearing further chastisement, but his grip was gentle, not firm. “Speaking of this discomfits me.” His tone sounded vaguely apologetic.

She eyed him over her shoulder. “Is that supposed to be an apology? For snapping at me even though I’m only questioning you because I care?”

His eyes softened. “And because you’re nosy.”

“You’re horrendous at apologies.”

“Yes.”

* * *

Thanks for reading! I’ll post some teaser chapters for Book 3 at the end of the month.