Home > Work > Present History (Hands of Time, #1)
1 " Crying isn't so bad. I mean, I have a sister..." He paused, and she had the distinct impression he was debating whether or not he should elaborate. On what, Ellie wasn't sure. "And I cry all the time," he said, his voice slightly higher pitched than it usually was. "You do?" Ellie ventured, her voice sounding muted from crying. "Well, it's been a while...and by 'a while', I mean about two days, "
― Ashley Nikole , Present History (Hands of Time, #1)
2 " Your father's last words were touching." Elie's breath hitched. "You're lying." "Why would I do that?" He reached into his vest and withdrew a silver chain. Dropping the piece into Ellie's hand, she realized what is was- her mother's ring, on the chain her dad always wore around his neck. "Hold your gusto, darlin'," he drawled, breath hot on her neck. "I didn't kill him." Ellie shook her head, staring at the ring. "How dare you?" she whispered. Jutting her chin out, Ellie grasped the front of Terrence's shirt. "So help me God, I'll-" "Making threats are we, now?" His brows raised in mock fear. "You're not in a place to be doing that." Open handed, Terrence shoved straight finger's into Ellie's ribs, sending her to the ground. Pain zig-zagged through her torso, nearly making her vomit. Ellie glared up at North as she willed the air back into her lungs. "I will never stop fighting," she wheezed as the room drifted out of focus then back again. Terrence crouched next to her. "Just remember lover-boy the next time you think about getting in my way. "
3 " How was your sleep?" Ellie asked as she poked tiny holes into the dirt with her index finger. When Jonathan didn't reply, Ellie glanced up and saw his haunted expression. That he was lost in a pocket of evil memories, was evident. "
4 " Sarah was Ethan's dear little sister." He made a clicking noise with his tongue. "Poor woman." There was something akin to anguish in his voice. "I will always regret her." Ellie grimaced in disgust "'Was'? Are you saying she's dead?" Terrence nodded, and in the dark, her eyes were finally beginning to adjust so she could better see him. The sadness in his features spoke volumes. So, he had one human bone in his body. He wasn't ALL divisive and wicked. Too bad that didn't matter a load of poo to Ellie. "
5 " She tried lowering him slowly, but he ended up falling and taking her down with him. Ellie couldn't tell which of them groaned the loudest. "Seriously! Could you eat a little less?" she groused, pushing back onto her haunches. Ethan smirked and shook his head. Motioned to his well defined torso. "Muscle, not fat. "
6 " You'll yet find happiness." A twang of anger snapped within her at his words. "Shut your trap, highness, or I'll bloody well shut it for you!" She lunged forward and grabbed the front of his shirt. Her fingers itched for- for what? A weapon. She berated herself for her violent state of mind. Hands still fisted in his shirt, Justice felt their trembling and prayed he did not. Jonathan glanced down at her hands, face impassive, then returned his eyes to her face. When Justice finally gave in and lifted her gaze, her vision blurred at the empathy written in his eyes. "
