Excerpt from Cosmic
Wars, Grand Masters’ Galaxy, Book 5
Teleport
from planet to planet as the Griffins pursue their enemies across the galaxy
and beyond.
Violet
and Athanor Griffin reunite with their baby son after escaping from the world
beyond the fiery Cosmic Rift, but they find no respite from troubles. The Grand Masters have declared Athanor dead, and are squabbling to replace him as Chair of the Council. Hordes of bloodsucking Ixioth slavers threaten
galactic civilization, and a new enemy has emerged from the alternate universe,
an enemy immune to psychic forces. The dynamic couple is soon swamped with
pleas for help. Athanor’s vow to crush the insectoid Ixioths and expel the
Nulls hits a major obstacle. The teleportal web enables
their allied enemies to make rapid strikes and escape to unknown hideouts,
somewhere in the galaxy. Violet has a different perilous challenge. Her promise
to rescue the children captured on Cinerea means she must brave the dreadful
Rift and lose her psychic powers. Can the Griffins reconcile their divergent
promises, or must they separate for the tasks of rescuing the prisoners and
defeating the slavers?
Join
psychic superstars, Violet and Athanor Griffin, on this epic adventure, meet
aliens of all stripes, and of course, the fabulous dragons of Sythos.
In Chapter 2: Violet
and Athanor Griffin arrive at the Council meeting. Believing Athanor is dead,
two Grand Masters propose to fight for the Chair’s position.
A wall of shielded emotions met them, a
wall her senses could penetrate, easily for some and requiring force for
others. Auras flared in multiple hues, indicating alarmed fear or pleased
surprise at their entrance. Waves of hatred leaked from Nathan, directed mostly
at Athanor, although Violet received her share from rejecting his advances when
Athanor was missing.
Giving a mental snort of disgust, Athanor
remarked, “Did he try to seduce you? Poor
fool. He underestimates your powers. Your mind was strong before ever you
achieved the rank of a Grand Master.”
Violet hid her amusement behind an amiable
expression. “That miserable worm could
never tempt me. And now he’s raring for a fight.”
Her petals glowing rosy, Amarylla
Threeleaf rustled, “Brightness offers welcome to Griffin Grand Masters, blown
into our meeting after long absence.”
His grim features fixed in a stern
expression, Athanor’s eyes flashed sapphire. He bowed and said, “We are
grateful for your gracious welcome, Brightness Threeleaf.” Swinging his azure
gaze over the assembled Grand Masters, he remarked, “The Griffins have survived
our adventure beyond the deadly Cosmic Rift, and we are ready to resume our
tasks on the Council.” He waved Violet to her seat at the junior end of the
semi-circle of thrones, and strode to the central throne reserved for the
Chair.
Nathan recovered swiftly. His eyes an
emerald blaze, he stepped in front of Athanor, and assuming a authoritative
tone, he cried, “Stop! The Council has decided to select a new Chair.”
“Unnecessary,” Athanor grated. “You
elected me as Chair, and my power is undiminished.” His curl of cynical
amusement reached Violet, and she sharpened her vigilance. He cocked his black
brows, and asked, “Do you dare to challenge me, Lord of Lightning?”
His eyes dulled and Nathan was silent.
Amarylla interrupted, exuding the tart
scent of lemons, “Conflict is unwarranted. Griffin Chair lofts erect on
Council.”
Rising onto his four hind legs, Baxicki
chittered, “Decision made at prior Council meeting. New Chair will be chosen by
combat according to tradition.”
Athanor gestured to the oldest Council
member. “Grand Master Hanuman, kindly enlighten us on the rules of this
engagement. The Chair’s position has not been contended for many years, and
some of us were not present at that momentous occasion.”
Hanuman bowed. “You are correct, Grand
Master Griffin. The last combat for Chair’s status occurred nearly two hundred
years ago when Nathan, Lord of Lightning, defeated Zarthorn and claimed the
leadership of our Council.” The ivory beams from his eyes lit on Nathan’s rigid
features. Rotating in a slow half-circle, Hanuman indicated each Grand Master
in turn. His voice switched from mellow to cold. “Here are the rules. The
combat for Chair must be held in the presence of all members of Council. None
of you can leave this chamber until the conclusion of the fight or else you
will forfeit your membership. The battle between contender and current Chair
will continue until one is incapacitated or has admitted defeat.”
Violet quenched a shiver of fear. How
could she watch Athanor die in combat?
His reply winged into her mind, “Don’t worry. We’ll be together, and our
united powers can outmatch any other Grand Master.” Turning toward Nathan
and Baxicki, Athanor growled, “Which of you proposes to battle your Chair?” His
thoughts mingled annoyance with cynical amusement at the antics of his
peers.
Emitting yellow flames, Baxicki said,
“Lord of Lightning joins Baxicki against Griffin.”
Athanor sent a private comment to Violet,
“Pity, Nathan almost cried off.”
“He
was always a coward,” she replied.
Steeling for the fight, Nathan
straightened and snarled, “You must fight alone.” He jabbed an accusatory
forefinger at Violet. “Our youngest member must stand aside from the combat.”
“Impossible,” Athanor averred. “Our
psychic union cannot be broken. Even when we were separated by the Cosmic Rift,
we retained a tenuous connection and Violet knew I was alive.”
Giving vent to a deep sigh, Hanuman rose
to his feet and said, “In my perusal of the Council’s long history, a psychic
union of two Grand Masters is unprecedented. Since no rules appertain to this
unique circumstance, I believe your challenge must encompass both of the
Griffins.”
Athanor barked, “We stand ready. Let the
combat commence.”
Detecting a psi arrow, Violet raised her
shield and flung a warning to Athanor, “Beware,
Baxicki.”
“Leave
this one to me,” he replied, his mind sharpening for defense.
Rearing on its four hind legs, the
insectoid blasted a beam of fiery yellow at Athanor.
Vibrating to intense blue, Athanor’s
shield repeled the attack. Instead of a swift counter strike, he seemed to
hesitate. The other Grand Masters, shifting away from the combatants, froze in
awful expectation.
Her psi senses vigilant, Violet’s link
revealed Athanor’s devious intent. Using his metal warping skill, he was
tightening the orange bands around the insectoid’s head and midsection.
The Lord of Lightning shot livid green
fire at his hated opponent.
Athanor did not budge. His defensive
screen did not waiver. As a precaution, Violet inserted a fraction of her psi
energy into his shield, edging the blue haze with ultraviolet. Her adrenaline
surged to higher alert.
A sheet of emerald lighting surged toward
her. Even partially distracted by Athanor’s combat, she blocked Nathan’s attack
without flinching. She thrust a psi dart into his mind, paralyzing his
thoughts. He stood immobile, his empty, outstretched hands aimed at her.
Their opponents stood like statues, frozen
in position.
Seconds passed without visible change.
Abruptly, Baxicki twitched in pain. Its
psi fire fizzled out, its antenna drooped, and it collapsed onto the floor.
“Cease!” it squeaked.
Athanor removed his pressure on the metal
bands. The insectoid shivered, raised its body on six shaky legs and backed
away.
At the same instant, Violet released her
mental grip on Nathan. Cupping his hands over his aching forehead, he staggered
to his seat.
Athanor strode around the semicircle of
thrones. His sapphire gaze swept from one Grand Master to the next, and he
growled, “We have defeated two contenders. Who else dares to fight us?”
After a moment of silence, Hanuman rose
from his seat and intoned, “The Griffins have proven their dual potency. I
recommend we retain Athanor Griffin as Chair of our Council.”
Muted sounds of rustles, clicks and sighs
marked a general consent.
