Tigress Book II, Part #3: Divergent Heart: Tigress, #8

By Alica Knight

The time for bold and decisive action draws near. My life is in ruins, but I have a plan. A plan hatched in desperation and with little foresight, but it is a plan.

And while the world around me churns with confusion, anger, violence... my life heads towards a divergence. There is only room enough for two in my dreams, and this private place is too crowded.

Soon I must choose.

I have new friends, new allies, but I don't know who to trust. Everything is backwards. Rewa, Altaica, these labels matter less and less. All that matters is who will stand with me.

And what I choose.

Part VIII of the Tigress serial.

-----

"Tigress" is a Paranormal Romance serial with a hint of spice! Each episode is approximately 10,000 words. The episode guide is as follows:

Tigress: Book One

#1 - Passion Begins
#2 - Love in the Dark
#3 - Beating Hearts
#4 - Shadows over Love
#5 - Eclipse of Ecstasy

Tigress: Book Two

#1 - Rapture under Moonlight
#2 - Souls Aflame
#3 - Divergent Heart
#4 - Lover's Vengeance
#5 - Soulbound Destinies (coming soon!)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alica Knight
• Release date: Oct 8, 2013
• ISBN: 9781497711211

Book preview

Tigress Book II, Part #3: Divergent Heart by Alica Knight

Copyright Alica Knight

2013

Tigress: Book II

Part III: Divergent Heart

A Paranormal Romance Serial

with a little hint of spice.

In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Prologue

Not A Time For Bold And Decisive Action

Starlight is still alive, I said, trying to empower my voice with every bit of sincerity I could. Willowfeather could smell deception and, while I believed what I was saying, if she smelled any form of trickery coming from me my plan would hastily unravel.

According to Cinder. Willowfeather leaned in closer, inspecting the picture as though looking for some forgery. But you must understand my suspicion. This may not even be his work. I cannot, after all, discern the truth in a painting.

Please, I said, just take me to Shade. I can explain.

Willowfeather hesitated. I could see the reluctance in her eyes as she examined each of us in turn, her nostrils flaring.

I cannot permit you on our lands.

I shook my head. I have to see—

Nobody sees Shade, especially not an exile and a disgraced leader, with nothing more than a painting to back up their claims.

I felt Hailstone rest his hand on my shoulder. I probably looked as angry as I felt.

Easy, he said, then to Willowfeather. Willow, I understand you have your duties. It’s good that you’re so diligent. We’ll leave.

I twisted my head around to look at him. No we won’t.

Yes, he said, squeezing my shoulder. We will. But perhaps, Willow, you can consider what we’ve said. Cinder commanded respect in life. Talk to Shade. Tell her we want dialogue. We want to resolve this without bloodshed.

Shade will not listen, said Willowfeather, but I could tell that Hailstone had managed to appease her.

Try, he said.

As a last favour to you, Hailstone, former leader of the Rewa clan and one who has earned my respect… I shall attempt to explain to her your findings, and the implications that this information, if true, bring to the table.

I knew, deep down, that this was all I could ask of Willowfeather at the moment. Okay, I said, trying to keep my disappointment, my anger, in check. Let me know when she wants to talk and I’ll show her the painting.

Very well, said Willowfeather, and she moved away from us, slipping into the long shadows of the gum trees, leaving us alone in the middle of nowhere.

Chapter I

Hope

Hailstone and I walked back towards the city, then he let me go. Being seen together was still dangerous, especially after today. I lugged the painting back to my apartment and hung it in the middle of the hallway. It looked good; too good. The craftsmanship was too fine, the framing too expensive. This was