AMBER ARGYLE is the last of TTFOS, for real this time. She's giving an exclusive peek at a deleted scene from her upcoming novel, WITCH SONG, which releases on September 1st. Read on, and enjoy! :)
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Author intro: This scene was probably about 1/4 of the way through the book. Senna is running from the Witch Hunters, who want to imprisoner her with the rest of the witches. She meets a former Guardian--Wittin--and his son--Joshen, but refuses their help because she doesn't trust them . Knowing how much danger Senna is in, Wittin finally tell's Joshen the truth.
I changed the story so that Joshen has been training to be Senna's Guardian since he was a young boy, so this scene no longer fit. Plus, there's a bit too much dialogue for my taste.
The 90% of the story is told from Senna's perspective. 10% from Joshen.
I changed the story so that Joshen has been training to be Senna's Guardian since he was a young boy, so this scene no longer fit. Plus, there's a bit too much dialogue for my taste.
The 90% of the story is told from Senna's perspective. 10% from Joshen.
Joshen's father took a long, drawn out breath. “Son, I need to tell you about the Witch War.”
Joshen’s forehead creased with confusion. “I know all about it.”
“No, you don’t.” His father had that look, the one that said keep your mouth closed and your ears open. “You think it was just as fight between the witches. That it doesn’t concern us. But you’re wrong. Most people were wrong about that.
“Whenever the witches have trouble,” he continued, “it affects us all. Take this blasted drought. You think it’s just a twist of fate, that the seasons rule themselves. But they don’t. The Witches control it.
“That’s what started the war. A group of the witches broke away from the main group. Called themselves Espen’s Servants. They wanted to sell their songs for money and power. But the other witches, the Sisters, believed everyone had the right to their songs. Each witch took a side.”
Joshen opened his mouth to speak, but his father’s warning look reminded him to be silent.
“Many, many witches died.” Wittin’s voice caught, and Joshen looked at his father in surprise. Emotion wasn’t something he showed. “When the Servants started loosing, their leader, Espen, began . . . murdering the Sister’s and their families. Eventually, the Sisters managed to defeat the Servants. But they never found Espen. They never stopped looking, but everyone they sent to capture her disappeared. And there were other . . . disappearances. Until all the remaining witches were forced into hiding.”
He shook his head, a look of immense sadness in his eyes. “We knew it was bad, but, after seeing Senna . . . My guess is she might be the only witch left.”
A hard knot of unease tightened in Joshen’s stomach. “And the two men who are chasing Senna?”
His father gave a helpless shrug. “Witch Hunters—a division of Espen’s Servants.’”
Wittin rolled up his shirt sleeve, revealing the familiar green tattoo that was about the size and shape of a round pebble. “But Espen isn’t the only one with helpers. They mark us as a Guardian when we’ve proven ourselves worthy.” He ran his fingertips across the mark. “I was marked long ago, but then Espen snapped my leg and I couldn’t be much help.”
“I thought you got bucked off a horse!” Joshen exclaimed.
His father smiled as he tugged his sleeve down. “Nope.”
Joshen gazed in the direction Senna had gone. “Why are we the only ones helping the Witches?”
“The people are no friends of witches, son. Most don’t believe in any of this. Those that do blame the witches for every flood or early frost we’ve ever had. They don’t realize that handling the seasons is more like controlling a half wild colt than ordering a side of beef from a butcher.”
Joshen thought of the girl he’d met earlier. Her wide golden eyes full of fear, like a hunted animal. She couldn’t face this alone. “I have to go after her,” Joshen finally said. “Whether she wants my help or not.”
Wittin nodded. “I know.”
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Summary: The world is changing. Once, Witch Song controlled everything from the winds to the shifting of the seasons-but not anymore. All the Witches are gone, taken captive by a traitor. All but Brusenna. As the echo of their songs fades, the traitor grows stronger. Now she is coming for Brusenna. Her guardian has sworn to protect her, but even he can't stop the Dark Witch. Somehow, Brusenna has to succeed where every other Witch has failed. Find the traitor. Fight her. Defeat her. Because if Brusenna doesn't, there won't be anything left to save.
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GIVEAWAY
Courtesy of Amber, I have one ARC of WITCH SONG to giveaway! And, yes, it does come with the gorgeous cover. <3 For an extra entry, tell me what would you do if the fate of the world was in your hands? Would you rush off like Joshen to save it?
To enter, fill out the form below. Contest ends 8/15 at 11:59PM EST, and open to US only (sorry, I'm broke. ):).
