Sunday Snippet: Victory Is Hollow

April is off to a weird start. We had a tornado warning in the wee hours of Thursday morning. That was fun. The temperature warmed up then dropped back down with a chance of snow tomorrow or Tuesday. But, sure, we aren't having any climate issues.

Still plugging along on multiple work projects. I did finish up two and added another new one to my pile. I'm very happy to be busy!

Had a decent viewing week. Ended up making it through my full slate of shows and I think I know which new program I'm adding to the lot. I'll give it a view and report back.

Actually realized I did finish up London Kills last week, so I ended up watching another full episode. Things are headed for a showdown with David and Vivienne and I'm here for that.

Watched Death in Paradise and enjoyed the episode. Discovered Izzy is still around and, well, still not a fan. If she returns, maybe she'll grow on me.

Caught Beyond Paradise and thoroughly enjoyed it. So nice to have a little backstory for Esther. And, if rumors prove true, a potential love interest in season three. That'll be fun.

Enjoyed an episode of Elementary. I'm definitely interested in how things will play out with Kitty's attacker. I can't wait to see if it gets resolved in the next installment.

Watched an episode of Batman Beyond. This is one I remembered from my original run through. Quite liked seeing it again.

Caught another episode of Classic Rugrats and it's one I don't remember so a new-to-me episode. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Only a few more left before I move on to the reboot again.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Victory is Hollow, a novella that brings a couple together after a huge mistake.

Here's the miniblurb:

Patience Clew and Del Mindhapel are elite arms instructors for their training academy and have a lot of tension bouncing back and forth. When two of their cadets go head to head in an illegal duel and one ends up with an almost mortal wound, the top teachers are confined to quarters and that's when the tension really goes out of control.

And a sneaky peek…

I'm not looking for compromise.

Del gnashed his teeth. "So it's your way or no way?" She'd never accomplish what she wanted that way.

Patience shrugged. "Pretty much." She went back to reading her book.

Del shook his head. "Then your victory is hollow. Because if cadets lose their lives to prove your point, it means nothing. The price is too high." Then again, maybe it wouldn't matter.

If they couldn't come to an understanding, this discussion would be moot.

She frowned and met his gaze. "What are you talking about? Our cadets didn't die." She went back to her book.

He snorted. "This time." He paced back and forth. "What happens when one does?" He stopped and glared at her.

She rolled her eyes. "You're making more of this than you need to." Her focus went back to the page, but her knee bobbed up and down.

Del resisted the urge to punch something. "Live ammo, Patience. The duel aside, we train with live ammo. You're insane if you don't think it can happen. Because it could." And definitely would if she refused to consider any kind of compromise. "Especially if you're not willing to bend a little and come at this topic from a different angle." He bit back a sigh. "All I'm saying is you better be prepared to face a tribunal when the worst finally happens." Out of steam, he sat at the table and pulled out his paintbrushes. "Do you really want that?" Uncapping the paint, he dipped the tip into the vibrant red.

She stayed silent, but her leg bobbed nonstop.

But … he didn't push for an answer. Because, honestly, he didn't have the desire to argue about something that should be simple to understand. Working on the model ship, he hoped like hell he'd given her an idea to chew on.

This story is bouncing all over the place, but I think I've finally got the main beats down.

 

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye