Solace

By Valjeanne Jeffers

A young meta-human journeys through time, in search of a prophet to save her dying world.
Written in tribute to Samuel “Chip” Delany

Cover art and design by Quinton Veal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Valjeanne Jeffers
• Release date: Mar 16, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311997159

Valjeanne Jeffers

Valjeanne Jeffers is a Spelman College graduate, a member of the Carolina African American Writers’ Collective and the Horror Writers Association, and the author of nine books, including her Immortal and Mona Livelong: Paranormal Detective series. She was been published in numerous anthologies including: Steamfunk!;The Ringing Ear; Griots: A Sword and Soul Anthology; Liberated Muse I: How I Freed My Soul; Say it Loud; Drumvoices Revue; Possibilities and, most recently, Luminescent Threads: Connections to Octavia Butler (winner of the Locus Award and nominated for Hugo Award); Fitting In; Sycorax’s Daughters (nominated for the Bram Stoker Award) and Black Magic Women. Visit her at: www.vjeffersandqveal.com

Book preview

Solace

Smashwords edition

Copyright Valjeanne Jeffers 2014, 2015

Cover Art by Quinton Veal

Written in tribute to Samuel Chip Delany

No place to be

My soul is bleeding

Under a mammoth sun Iona raced across the scorched landscape. Doomed screaming humanity stampeded before and behind her over the bridge into the city of Carthage: The last sanctuary. The bridge’s flaming scaffold groaned in protest. . .

Reach the portal.

Flee.

She cleared the bridge just before it collapsed, ducked inside the first building, and clambered up the mold-encrusted steps two at a time. The young woman reached the top and ran to the edge. Iona pushed her hand into the folds of her jacket,