{"title":"Home page","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"hold","title":"HOLD - Book One: Ion Heroes (ebook)","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBook ONE of the \"Ion Heroes\" series\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEarth fell in 2419\u003c\/strong\u003e, not to war or disaster, but to a military-grade computer virus that wiped out civilization overnight. Billions perished. Technology became heresy. What remained was a fractured, medieval world—where the remnants of the past are hoarded by the feared and hated tech-witches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA thousand years later\u003c\/strong\u003e, Lian Martell, a blacksmith in the Forge, is thrust into a battle he never sought. When his love, Ember, is stolen away by the ruthless King Damon, Lian must do the unthinkable—seek out the lost power of the ancients. His quest will take him beyond the sky itself, into the ruins of forgotten glory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut power never stays hidden forever. A secretive conspiracy watches from the shadows, waiting to claim what he finds. In a world where knowledge is forbidden, Lian must decide: who can he trust, and \u003cstrong\u003ehow far will he go to bring Ember home?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe war for the future has begun. In a world ruled by fear and forgotten technology, buried secrets, ancient power, and unstoppable forces collide in a battle that will decide humanity’s fate. Some seek to control the past, others will burn it to the ground—but only one hero can break the cycle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Ion Heroes Series is a complete six-book saga of rebellion, discovery, and the fight to reclaim a lost world. \u003c\/strong\u003eThe truth is waiting in the forbidden, heretical remnants of what man once was. The journey starts now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“FIVE STARS!! I LOVE this book series…it is a complement to the sci-fi genre!”\u003cbr\u003e“The perfect blend of heart, heroism, and high-stakes action - you need this series!”\u003cbr\u003e“Amazing books that are beautifully tied together!”\u003cbr\u003e“If you are a fan of Star Wars you will enjoy it.”\u003cbr\u003e“If Skyward by Sanderson met Foundation by Asimov, you would get something almost as good as this. This series greatly fueled my love for sci-fi!”\u003cbr\u003e“Action packed, suspenseful with a great plot.”\u003cbr\u003e“I love these books!”\u003cbr\u003e“This series definitely stands out. The books are action packed and nonstop from the first page until the last. It goes from a post-apocalyptic world to outer space and back. I guarantee if you give the book a shot, you will feel the exact same as I do!”\u003cbr\u003e“I bought the first book on a whim… I was hooked!”\u003cbr\u003e“The culture says, ‘Sci-fi is boring! This book series says, ‘Hold my blue milk.’ It's engaging, thoughtful, well-written, and I need more sci-fi of this kind in my life.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e**Already read HOLD? \u003ca title=\"ECHO Product Page\" href=\"https:\/\/store.jmatthew.net\/products\/echo\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eFind Book Two, ECHO, here!**\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eThis product is a premium EBOOK compatible with any modern digital app and device: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKindle or Kindle App for tablets\/phones\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApple Books\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGoogle Play Books\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNook \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNative e-readers on Apple and Android products\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMicrosoft Surface and tablets of all kinds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eiPads, iPods, and iPhones\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAndroid phones and devices\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback and Hardcover formats coming soon! \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eHow does it work? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurchase AUTHOR-DIRECT and $ave!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFollow the download link on the order confirmation page (links also sent by email)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eENJOY!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e","brand":"author.jmatthew","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40486819233929,"sku":"HOLD_eBook","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0589\/9862\/0297\/products\/Book1.jpg?v=1656603316"},{"product_id":"hold-book-one-ion-heroes-paperback","title":"HOLD - Book One: Ion Heroes (Paperback)","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBook ONE of the \"Ion Heroes\" series\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEarth fell in 2419\u003c\/strong\u003e, not to war or disaster, but to a military-grade computer virus that wiped out civilization overnight. Billions perished. Technology became heresy. What remained was a fractured, medieval world—where the remnants of the past are hoarded by the feared and hated tech-witches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA thousand years later\u003c\/strong\u003e, Lian Martell, a blacksmith in the Forge, is thrust into a battle he never sought. When his love, Ember, is stolen away by the ruthless King Damon, Lian must do the unthinkable—seek out the lost power of the ancients. His quest will take him beyond the sky itself, into the ruins of forgotten glory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut power never stays hidden forever. A secretive conspiracy watches from the shadows, waiting to claim what he finds. In a world where knowledge is forbidden, Lian must decide: who can he trust, and \u003cstrong\u003ehow far will he go to bring Ember home?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe war for the future has begun. In a world ruled by fear and forgotten technology, buried secrets, ancient power, and unstoppable forces collide in a battle that will decide humanity’s fate. Some seek to control the past, others will burn it to the ground—but only one hero can break the cycle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Ion Heroes Series is a complete six-book saga of rebellion, discovery, and the fight to reclaim a lost world. \u003c\/strong\u003eThe truth is waiting in the forbidden, heretical remnants of what man once was. The journey starts now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“FIVE STARS!! I LOVE this book series…it is a complement to the sci-fi genre!”\u003cbr\u003e“The perfect blend of heart, heroism, and high-stakes action - you need this series!”\u003cbr\u003e“Amazing books that are beautifully tied together!”\u003cbr\u003e“If you are a fan of Star Wars you will enjoy it.”\u003cbr\u003e“If Skyward by Sanderson met Foundation by Asimov, you would get something almost as good as this. This series greatly fueled my love for sci-fi!”\u003cbr\u003e“Action packed, suspenseful with a great plot.”\u003cbr\u003e“I love these books!”\u003cbr\u003e“This series definitely stands out. The books are action packed and nonstop from the first page until the last. It goes from a post-apocalyptic world to outer space and back. I guarantee if you give the book a shot, you will feel the exact same as I do!”\u003cbr\u003e“I bought the first book on a whim… I was hooked!”\u003cbr\u003e“The culture says, ‘Sci-fi is boring! This book series says, ‘Hold my blue milk.’ It's engaging, thoughtful, well-written, and I need more sci-fi of this kind in my life.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e**Already read HOLD? \u003ca title=\"ECHO Product Page\" href=\"https:\/\/store.jmatthew.net\/products\/echo\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eFind Book Two, ECHO, here!**\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eThis product is a premium paperback book.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover and Audiobook formats coming soon! \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eHow does it work? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurchase AUTHOR-DIRECT and $ave!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWait for your new books to arrive in 2-8 business days!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e","brand":"author.jmatthew","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43872315048073,"sku":"HOLD_Paperback","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0589\/9862\/0297\/files\/20250407_132948.jpg?v=1744081828"},{"product_id":"echo-book-two-ion-heroes-paperback","title":"ECHO - Book Two: Ion Heroes (Paperback)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBook TWO of the \"Ion Heroes\" series\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew to the Ion Heroes series? \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/store.jmatthew.net\/products\/hold\" title=\"HOLD Product Page\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eStart Here\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e** SPOILER WARNING: Do not read further until you've read \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/store.jmatthew.net\/products\/hold\" title=\"HOLD Product Page\"\u003eHOLD\u003c\/a\u003e!\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eAbout this Paperback Book\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe story of HOLD continues in Book 2\u003c\/strong\u003e of the Ion Heroes series...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJaine seeks to uncover the truth of who she can trust. Ember remains in the clutches of Damon. The techWitch, Morena, is hunting Jaine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLian's loyalties are tested\u003c\/strong\u003e as he is forced to pick his allies before he can hope to return to Earth. Will his love for Ember hold true?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eThis product is a premium paperback physical print book. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover and Audiobook formats coming soon! \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eHow does it work? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurchase AUTHOR-DIRECT and $ave!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLook for your new book to arrive in the mail within 2-8 Business days!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy a sample from ECHO:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPOILER WARNING: Do not read this excerpt until you have read HOLD.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe Painted One slapped her so hard that her face stung. “Do you think that you will live to be killed by him? Take me to him, NOW!”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eJaine's lip quivered. She put her face in her hands. “OK, but he is powerful. I saw him kill a man, you know. That's why he caught me an' made talk to the lady.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe Painted One grabbed her arm and dragged her roughly to her feet, slinging her toward the road.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e“If you betray me, you'll die where you stand. I don't care if there are people around or if hell freezes over.” Jaine believed her. She shuffled her way to the road, sniffling and chattering like Penny had. The Witch told her to be quiet and hit her with the haft of her staff. Jaine went stumbling down the road in apparent agony for a while before she recovered.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWhen they reached the town, the Painted One hissed at her to “act normal”, whatever that meant, so she started chattering again. Jaine wasn't worried. She had already prepared for this to happen. She even still had her daggers just in case there was an opening. She assumed there wouldn't be, but that didn't mean that she wasn't going to be ready just in case.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe town was still buzzing about the ship, every roadhouse and inn filled to the brink with people loudly proclaiming the end of the world, invasion of un-earthly life or the return of the old ways. Jaine saw several fights break out as they forged ahead.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThey ducked off the main road early and walked through quiet back alleys. There was an old homeless man that Jaine had given food to and promised more if the man would keep a scroll that she had written. He had promised to give it to whoever Jaine brought to him.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThey reached the alley. It was dark, but the moonlight was enough to see his figure hunched over in the shadows. “Master?” Jaine called down the alley. She felt the Painted One step back into the shadows. “Master techLock?” The man looked up and saw Jaine. He leered at her, drunken and toothless and reached into his rags to pull out the scroll. That was the last thing he ever did. Jaine gasped in surprise as the Painted One stepped smoothly out behind the man and killed him. Her blade cut deeply into the base of his neck by his collarbone, and he slumped silently to the ground. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThat was unexpected\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, Jaine thought. The techWitch stepped calmly over the body and, seeing the scroll on the ground, picked it up.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eShe walked steadily toward Jaine who feigned great fear. The techWitch held up the scroll to the light. Her face went from self-assured triumph to surprise to anger. Jaine knew what the scroll said, she had written it. She thought gleefully through the message: “Did you think it would be that easy? Try again, Witch. You are no match for me, for I have lived far longer and seen many more tricks than your paltry games.” She had signed it simply “The Master”.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe Painted One stood indecisive for a moment. Jaine was still sniffling away like a champion, saying “you killed him, what would momma say?” over and over again. She was exhausted though, to be honest. This crying thing was really hard work.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe Witch was standing there, holding her blade. It was dripping with the old man's blood. She ran her finger along the flat part, rubbing the blood between her fingertips. She looked at Jaine, and Jaine did not like the murder she saw in the Witch's eyes. Jaine gripped her dagger in her sleeve. She wasn't pretending to be scared anymore.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"author.jmatthew","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43853404602505,"sku":"ECHO_paperback","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0589\/9862\/0297\/files\/20250407_133007.jpg?v=1744081982"},{"product_id":"rift-book-three-ion-heroes-paperback","title":"RIFT - Book Three: Ion Heroes (Paperback)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBook THREE of the \"Ion Heroes\" series\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew to the Ion Heroes series?\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/store.jmatthew.net\/products\/hold\" title=\"HOLD Product Page\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eStart Here\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e** SPOILER WARNING: Do not read further until you've read\u003cspan\u003e \u003ca title=\"ECHO Product Page\" href=\"https:\/\/store.jmatthew.net\/products\/echo\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eECHO\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e!\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eAbout this paperback book:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLian's new-found power wasn't enough\u003c\/strong\u003e to save his love from being dragged into his feud with the Lunar colony. He seeks to gain mastery of the transfer system so that he can win his way to her side - and to do so he must brave the dark secrets of the Order of Remembrance and their heretical technology. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMeanwhile, his love uncovers \u003cstrong\u003ea conspiracy that threatens to destroy the Children of Luna\u003c\/strong\u003e from the inside and fights against the ignorance that keeps her from finding a way to rejoin Lian. Jaine must solidify her position in the court of the High Kings. She'll find out how Morena and Damon were plotting to overthrow them, but \u003cstrong\u003ewhat side will she pick\u003c\/strong\u003e? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFind out in the third thrilling installment of the epic Ion Heroes series.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eThis product is a premium paperback book.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover and Audiobook formats coming soon! \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eHow does it work? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurchase AUTHOR-DIRECT and $ave!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLook for your new book to arrive in the mail in 2-8 business days!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eEnjoy a sample from RIFT:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPOILER WARNING: Do not read this excerpt until you have read ECHO.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA stir occurred in the room, pulling Jaine out of her reverie. It was time\u003cbr\u003efor them to enter. She stood, noting again how the cape trailed out behind her.\u003cbr\u003eIt was truly lovely. She took a deep breath, as deep as she could in the tight\u003cbr\u003ebodice, and stepped forward confidently. The guards were well trained. They\u003cbr\u003emoved almost perfectly in time with her movements. She was not announced.\u003cbr\u003eShe walked in with no fanfare of any kind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe three High Kings were lounged around a table set on a high dais,\u003cbr\u003eraised about 6 feet above the court below. They were evidently eating lunch of\u003cbr\u003esome kind. Or maybe, perhaps, they are always eating, thought Jaine. Two of\u003cbr\u003ethe three were portly (to put it kindly). The third had the look of someone who\u003cbr\u003ecould eat till he dropped and stay rail-thin, but he had the nastiest and most\u003cbr\u003eruthless look of the three. Jaine could immediately tell that he was the leader,\u003cbr\u003eand the others were content to bully their subordinates and let the thin and loud\u003cbr\u003eone lead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder the table that held the King's glorious feast were large war mastiffs.\u003cbr\u003eShe had heard of these dogs before. Everyone in the kingdom had heard of\u003cbr\u003ethese dogs. They growled and fought over the bones and scraps the Kings\u003cbr\u003ethrew to them, eyeing the people in the court below with open contempt and\u003cbr\u003ebloodlust. Jaine wanted nothing to do with them. They were killers, bred and\u003cbr\u003etrained to tear people limb from limb. She reached deep within herself and\u003cbr\u003efroze her face into a mask so that her fear wouldn't show. Animals can usually\u003cbr\u003esense fear, but Jaine's practice was perfect and, after a moment's stare-down,\u003cbr\u003ethey went on to gaze at the terrified peasants who the guards were restraining.\u003cbr\u003eThe thin King finally deigned to notice Jaine and laughed a low, salty\u003cbr\u003elaugh.\u003cbr\u003e“Look what we have here, Highnesses! A beautiful doll, come to play? I hear she's been naughty. What say you, King Wherriman?” He turned his head\u003cbr\u003eto the King on his left as he spoke, but his eyes never left Jaine. She didn't like\u003cbr\u003ethe way he looked at her. Evidently, she'd caught their attention though.\u003cbr\u003eWherriman looked up from his food like a child who has been interrupted from\u003cbr\u003ehis favorite toy: annoyed and slightly peevish. His eyes changed when he saw\u003cbr\u003ethe girl and he laughed too, but his laugh was big and full and slow. A follower,\u003cbr\u003eJaine thought.\u003cbr\u003e“I think she's about as pretty a bird as we've seen in a while. Is she come\u003cbr\u003efor entertainment?” He rubbed his belly and grabbed another leg of turkey,\u003cbr\u003esettling back into his chair even deeper than he already was. Jaine wondered\u003cbr\u003ehow he ever got out of it. “I could use some entertainment, how about you,\u003cbr\u003eMerriford?”\u003cbr\u003eMerriford had been watching her the whole time, taking care to look like\u003cbr\u003ehe wasn't. Jaine got the distinct impression that he was playing at stupidity\u003cbr\u003ewhen he was possibly the shrewdest of the bunch. She knew that act well.\u003cbr\u003eWhen he spoke, Jaine was sure: this man was up to something. He put on a\u003cbr\u003evapid face, acting like he was just looking up from his food.\u003cbr\u003e“What? A wench? We didn't order any entertainment, did we?” He looked\u003cbr\u003eto the thin one. “King Lombard, I wouldn't mind a bit of a show, but I was\u003cbr\u003ethinking more along the lines of the dogs.” He chuckled slowly and then made\u003cbr\u003ea show of winking. “If you know what I mean.”\u003cbr\u003eHe fell back to his food, watching the whole room again while pretending\u003cbr\u003eto be wholly engrossed in a savory meat pie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJaine stood motionless. The thin one motioned to a guard, who loosed the\u003cbr\u003echain on one of the more vicious looking animals. It snapped at the guard and\u003cbr\u003eshook itself as if to make sure that the chain was gone. Turning in a circle, it\u003cbr\u003eeyed Jaine. She could have sworn that a vicious grin spread across its ugly face\u003cbr\u003eas it jumped down from the stage and trotted toward her.\u003cbr\u003eShe didn't flinch. Her guards motioned as if they were going to step in and stop it, but King Lombard commanded them aside. Turning to the others he\u003cbr\u003emuttered something about “first test” - Merriford's idea from Lombard's lips.\u003cbr\u003eThe dog stopped two feet from her, looking her over suspiciously. It snarled,\u003cbr\u003eits lip curling away from nasty fangs. It was easily 180 pounds, outweighing\u003cbr\u003eand outmuscling Jaine. She wouldn't have a chance if it got her down. It sized\u003cbr\u003eher up as it walked in small circles like a lion looking over its prey. After a\u003cbr\u003emoment, it crouched, close enough that she could hear its heavy breathing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJaine knew this was her only chance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"author.jmatthew","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43853420953737,"sku":"RIFT_paperback","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0589\/9862\/0297\/files\/Rift_Hero_Shot.jpg?v=1744082455"},{"product_id":"onus-ion-heroes-book-four-paperback","title":"ONUS - Ion Heroes: Book Four (Paperback)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBook FOUR of the \"Ion Heroes\" series\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew to the Ion Heroes series?\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"HOLD Product Page\" href=\"https:\/\/store.jmatthew.net\/products\/hold\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eStart Here\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e** SPOILER WARNING: Do not read further until you've read\u003cspan\u003e \u003ca title=\"RIFT Product Page\" href=\"https:\/\/store.jmatthew.net\/products\/rift\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRIFT\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e!\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eAbout this paperback book:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Morena trials begin\u003c\/strong\u003e for Jaine as she struggles to find her place and her purpose among the heretics of the Order. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLian is lost in the Deep, an ancient mind trapped within his own. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWynter, caught in a political intrigue she did not choose, seeks to reconcile the Spire with the Ring, but Cetus and all his cohorts stand between her and the food that they so desperately need. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFind out why our heroes fight\u003c\/strong\u003e in book four of the Ion Heroes Series.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eThis product is a premium paperback book.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover and Audiobook formats coming soon! \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eHow does it work? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurchase AUTHOR-DIRECT and $ave!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWait for your new book to arrive in the mail in 2-8 business days!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy a sample from ONUS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPOILER WARNING: Do not read this excerpt until you have read RIFT.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWynter felt something like a queen holding court. Torvan introduced her to each person, and she used the memory tricks that she’d learned in the service of Jove to memorize their names. Had they been all in white, it might have been difficult, but Jaine allowed herself to cheat and associate bits of colored clothing with the names along with the facial features. It would make for more difficult recall later, but it helped a lot when one needed to retain so many names in such a short timeframe.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eShe was in her element. She stayed seated on the edge of the bed and listened carefully. As a little girl growing up on Jove, her father had always taken her to his state events, and it had fascinated her to watch him move within the intrigues and politics of the state affairs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eTorvan asked her to tell her tale. She did so but left out the entirety of her connection with Jove. She simply didn’t talk about her origins at all other than to say that her Father was a descendant of the Founders of the city that she grew up in and that Lian had helped to save that city. For the sake of time, she gave little pause for details. She mentioned Lian’s efforts to save Ember and her subsequent betrayal of him, the fall of the castle (and the use of the water-bearer in that effort), and then her own wounding and abduction.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe faces around the room were scintillated and in many she saw compassionate outrage and pity. All were seated on the floor or perched wherever they could find a place. Wynter was gratified that none chose to sit on her bed. She had been prepared to surrender her last bit of private space, but none violated her sanctum. It was nice to see small touches of decorum and respect.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWhen she finished there was a moment of silence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eTorvan stood.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e“Brothers and sisters, true Terrans all and yet also true Children of Luna. There are two things that we must address. The first is that this lady, Wynter Sorenson, has not (by her own admission or by any evidence that we possess) committed any crimes against Luna. We all know the danger of ‘guilt by association’. To allow her to be imprisoned is to concede that although she has committed no crimes, she should be judged due to her association with another individual.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e“Secondly let me remind you all: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003equod est necessarium est licitum, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ewhatever is necessary is legal. According to the admission of Lady Sorenson, her use of our water-bearer was neither voluntary nor was it for convenience. I have personally reviewed the files and I can bear witness that it required every resource of our ship to sustain her life. Is not the desperate need to preserve life itself the definition of necessity?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e“Based on either perspective she should be free. Both arguments though, when combined… I believe that they require us to act.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIt was well and simply spoken. After a moment’s pause, he spoke again, softly this time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e“Qui tacet consentire videtur.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWynter knew that phrase. It was one of her Father’s favorites. ‘Silence is consent’. He’d told her that it was what drove him to involve himself in the politics of Jove. She remembered him reciting it to himself before every event, along with the next phrase ‘ubi loqui debuit ac potuit’ (when those who are able to speak do not). The rest of the group rejoined the second phrase, much to her delight and she joined in.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eTorvan turned to her in surprise. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e“You know the old Latin?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e“That phrase was my father’s mantra.” She said simply. “He was a scientist. He had no desire to involve himself in politics if he had not been a Founder's Son. He would rather have stayed home with me and my mother before she died. I remember hearing him recite this to himself every time there was a political event. He told me that it means ‘silence is consent’. When I was old enough to understand politics, that idea is what drove me to the palaces and halls of our leaders. I could not sit idly by and consent by silence any more than my father could before me.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"author.jmatthew","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43853424853129,"sku":"ONUS_paperback","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0589\/9862\/0297\/files\/Onus_Hero_Shot.jpg?v=1744082628"},{"product_id":"edge-book-five-ion-heroes-paperback","title":"EDGE - Book Five: Ion Heroes (Paperback)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBook FIVE of the \"Ion Heroes\" series\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew to the Ion Heroes series?\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"HOLD Product Page\" href=\"https:\/\/store.jmatthew.net\/products\/hold\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eStart Here\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e** SPOILER WARNING: Do not read further until you've read\u003cspan\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/store.jmatthew.net\/products\/onus-ion-heroes-book-four\" title=\"ONUS Product Page\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eONUS\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e!\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eAbout this paperback book:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhile \u003cstrong\u003eLian seeks to secure a way to Luna\u003c\/strong\u003e, Jaine fights to uncover the secrets of the Mnemosyne. Can they work together to accomplish their goals, or will betrayal undo their progress before they even begin? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWynter runs for her life\u003c\/strong\u003e with Cetus in hot pursuit, while Torvan and the Terrans struggle to come to an understanding of what Wynter brought from Earth. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIs this the end of freedom on Luna? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBook five of the Ion Heroes series uncovers \u003cstrong\u003enew alliances and old enemies\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eThis product is a premium paperback book.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover and Audiobook formats coming soon! \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eHow does it work? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurchase AUTHOR-DIRECT and $ave!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWait for your new book to arrive in the mail in 2-8 business days!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy a sample from EDGE:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPOILER WARNING: Do not read this excerpt until you have read ONUS.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eShe had big plans and they all started with that Titan ship lying out there in the bitter cold. She shifted a little around her arm, trying to take care not to disturb the monk. She failed. Whether real or imagined, he took affront at her movement and chirped indignantly at her. With all the offended pomp of a master artist, he packed up his things. He showed his annoyance as he wrapped her bleeding tattoos by being thorough without being gentle. He was finished for the day. Jaine didn’t apologize. She was glad to be done for the day. She nodded coldly to him as he turned away in a huff, folding himself into the furthest corner of the cramped space. Jaine stood, stretching out both arms until they were almost touching the sides of the ascetic's tiny tent as she worked out her cramped muscles.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWrapping her heavy cloak around her, she winced as the sleeves slid over the fresh bandages on her right arm where the tattooist's needle had done its work. After she gingerly worked her arm in, she slid her gleaming left hand into a heavy glove and then stepped out into the snow.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe sky was aflame with fiery lights in the North. Jaine had only seen them for the first time a week ago, and she couldn't help but to stand transfixed before their glory as they snaked and twisted across the sky in a mute symphony of green, blue, and violet. Clouds began to roll in, but she remained lost in wonder as they began to obscure the fiery display. It was only the sharp pain in her left hand that brought her back to reality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eDropping her eyes reluctantly from the fading glory in the heavens, she trudged across to her tent, grimacing at the icy cold that felt like it was in her bones. The clockwork in her hand was directly tied into nerve, bone, muscle, and tendon – and when it got cold, there was no layer of skin to protect her from feeling its effects directly. When she arrived, she took a moment to warm herself before she crossed into the chamber behind her living quarters.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eShe sighed with satisfaction. It was still hard to believe that she'd found the thing that the room contained. It was one of the drones that had been with the ship that Lian had flown. She had to believe that it had something to do with Wynter – and she had moved heaven and earth to get it here, when she had learned that the Order's agents had brought it to ground.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe fingers of Jaine's left hand traced smooth lines across the drone's shell. She delighted in the low, silky rasp of metal on metal, punctuated by the soft tap that her fingers made when they passed over micro craters. She could feel the aura of the emptiness of space in every scar and it was awe inspiring to her. This drone was far older than anything around her, even the castles, but it felt to her as though it could be newly born of man's best and brightest minds. She marveled anew at what the Plague had taken from mankind.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eShe already knew that she couldn't open it - she knew that it wasn't even for her that it had returned - but she loved it nevertheless, for within this lithe metallic body was the key to Lian's cooperation. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSometimes all the pieces just fall into place\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, she thought with satisfaction. This drone had been a nightmare to transport, but she'd managed to get it here before Lian's advent.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eHe was due to arrive in one hour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe last time that Jaine had seen him, he'd been standing amidst a ruined castle looking to the sky after his Wynter. Jaine didn't know why she had been spirited away, but she had to assume that whoever owned that ship that Lian had used to destroy Damon’s castle wanted it back. Perhaps Wynter had been caught in the crossfire inadvertently, or perhaps they'd taken her out of spite in return for Lian's hijacking of their ship. Either way, it was obvious to her that he'd found a ship that wasn't his and had used it against the will of whatever entity was in control of that ship. Based on the scars from this drone, she had to guess that it was an interplanetary vessel - and the fact that she could touch such a relic sent shivers of excitement through her to her core.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"author.jmatthew","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43853426327689,"sku":"EDGE_paperback","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0589\/9862\/0297\/files\/EDGE_hero_shot.jpg?v=1744082912"},{"product_id":"soul-book-six-ion-heroes-paperback","title":"SOUL - Book Six: Ion Heroes (Paperback)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBook SIX of the \"Ion Heroes\" series\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew to the Ion Heroes series?\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/store.jmatthew.net\/products\/hold\" title=\"HOLD Product Page\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eStart Here\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e** SPOILER WARNING: Do not read further until you've read\u003cspan\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/store.jmatthew.net\/products\/edge-book-five-ion-heroes\" title=\"EDGE Product Page\"\u003eEDGE\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e!\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eAbout this paperback book:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn \u003cstrong\u003ethe epic conclusion\u003c\/strong\u003e of the epic Ion Heroes series, find out if Lian can fight his way through the primate jungles of Mars to finally reunite with Wynter who is working to liberate Luna. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJaine has set in motion the events that pave the way for the overthrow of the High Kings, but has she bitten off more than she can chew? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese questions and more are answered in the \u003cstrong\u003eexplosive finale\u003c\/strong\u003e of the Ion Heroes series.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eThis product is a premium paperback book.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback and Hardcover formats coming soon! \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003eHow does it work? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurchase AUTHOR-DIRECT and $ave!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWait for your new book to arrive in the mail in 2-8 business days!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff8000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy a sample from SOUL:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPOILER WARNING: Do not read this excerpt until you have read EDGE.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSitting back, she sat in wide-eyed wonder as it took off.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe speed was beyond her wildest imaginations. She knew, with her mind, that Lian was moving at the speed of light when he transferred. Even with that frame of reference, the fastest that she’d ever moved was on a horse. The High Kings were known to have steam engines that could exceed 100 miles in a single hour if they were pushed, but this was something else entirely.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis is freedom.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eLaughing with sheer joy, she cinched down her buckles. She was going to let the drone do the flying, and she knew from experience that they followed flight patterns that were not designed for human participation. Her first accidental ride along had left her with bruises that were only a couple of days old.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWithin a few short minutes, she was nearing the boundary. It was fully twenty-five miles away, but at four hundred miles per hour, that distance took less than four minutes to cover. Arriving at the scene, it flicked on its lights, veering unnaturally back and forth in sweeping arcs as its sensors lit up the target. It was a single person who was trying in vain to hide. These non-cargo drones had advanced sensors even for the Before, and there was no way that he was going to hide from this ship.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSwooping down, it buzzed the man twice. Jaine was screaming from pure joy at the movement and speed of the craft. When the man pulled out a weapon, Jaine didn’t even have time to react before the rail-cannons silenced him. It was shocking to her how defenseless and naked the man seemed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eShe wondered how any of them had survived, but then she remembered that she was running the program from her arm window and there was no storm to interfere with targeting or reaction. Sobered, she took over the controls and awkwardly hovered over the body. Scanning the area around, she entered a command and the craft touched down lightly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eClambering out, she approached the dead man carefully. She knew he had no heartbeat, the sensors had already confirmed it, but she had learned as a young child that ‘dead’ didn’t mean ‘safe’. Sometimes people set traps in case they die. She’d seen a slaver blown to shreds by a bomb that a techWitch had somehow tied to her heartbeat. She stopped breathing minutes before, but he died when her heart stopped.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe snow was falling lightly and the calm that followed the sharp report of the rail weapon was deathly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAppropriate that it’s so quiet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, Jaine thought, as she surveyed the mess sadly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA glint caught her eye and she stepped in, turning the body in the snow with her foot. Reaching down, she pulled the talisman of the Twin Serpents from the man’s body.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eMoreno.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eHer breath caught. She needed him to be unaware that she could fly. Being able to move quietly and quickly was the greatest advantage that she could have ever hoped to achieve. She could not risk it being found out.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"author.jmatthew","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43853431636105,"sku":"SOUL_paperback","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0589\/9862\/0297\/files\/SOUL_Hero_Shot.jpg?v=1744083132"}],"url":"https:\/\/store.jmatthew.net\/collections\/frontpage.oembed","provider":"J Matthew Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}