Consequence: The Race Series, #5

By Joan De La Haye

Survival and redemption teeter on a knife's edge.

After enduring yet another gruelling race and witnessing the uprising of the Runner rebellion, Joanna faces a new and formidable challenge. Teaming up with Von Zimmer, an unlikely ally, she embarks on a desperate mission to save a village on an Ethiopian coffee plantation from impending destruction.

In "Consequence," Joanna and Von Zimmer must confront not only the external threat looming over the village but also the personal demons that haunt them. As they navigate a landscape marred by violence and oppression, they must find a way to overcome their inner turmoil and forge an alliance strong enough to combat their cruellest adversary yet.

Can Joanna and Von Zimmer set aside their differences and work together to protect the innocent? Will they find the strength to confront their past and discover redemption in the face of unimaginable odds? The fate of the village, as well as their own survival, hangs in the balance.

"Consequence" is a gripping and emotionally charged novella that will leave readers breathless. Joan De La Haye expertly weaves heart-stopping action, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes in this thrilling instalment. Perfect for fans of dystopian adventures and high-stakes narratives, "Consequence" will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

Join Joanna and Von Zimmer on their perilous journey in "Consequence," where the consequences of their choices may be more dire than ever before. Prepare for a gripping and transformative tale that explores the power of redemption and the resilience of the human spirit.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joan De La Haye
• Release date: Jun 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386913573

Joan De La Haye

Joan De La Haye writes horror, dark fantasy and some very twisted thrillers. She invariably wakes up in the middle of the night because she's figured out yet another freaky way to mess with her already screwed-up characters. You can stalk Joan on her website: www.joandelahaye.com

Book preview

Consequence

The Race: Book 5

By

Joan De La Haye

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.

Copyright © 2018 by Joan De La Haye

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise).

www. joandelahaye.com

Cover art by Tallulah Lucy

1st Edition June 2018

Also by Joan De La Haye

Stand-Alone Books

Requiem in E Sharp

Fury

Oasis

Burning

The Diabolical Series

Shadows

The Veil

The Oubliette

The Eternally Cursed Chronicles

Bound by Betrayal

Short Story Collections

Sliced and Diced

Sliced and Diced 2

Sliced and Diced 3

The Race Series

The Race

Training Days

Besieged

Retribution

The Patron

Table of Contents

Title Page

Also by Joan De La Haye

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Be a Freaky Darling

The Patron

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Shadows

Requiem in E Sharp

Fury

Oasis

Burning

Sliced and Diced

Sliced and Diced 2

Sliced and Diced 3

Bound by Betrayal

1

O

ur feet padded softly on the fallen pine needles as we ran through the forest. Sunil’s breathing was steady, with no hint of exertion. Without realising it, I’d matched my breathing and running gait to his. We moved as one. The castle loomed above the trees and came closer with every step. The moment we reached it, everything would change back to our routine. Elena and their daughter would be waiting for him, and I would wander the halls feeling like a lost fart waiting until our next sparring session or the next run. All I wanted was to keep running in the woods with him and ignore everyone and everything else, but that wasn’t an option.

Can we talk? I asked as I came to an abrupt halt. He came to a stop a couple strides away.

Of course, he said with a nervous smile.

I didn’t really know what I wanted to say, but I knew I had to kill the fucking elephant in the room, so to speak, and the only way to do that was with the truth.

You and Elena, I said.

It’s complicated, he said.

I get that, but … My words trailed off as I tried to think about what I really wanted to say without sounding like an idiot.

He exhaled and ran his fingers through his hair.

We had a relationship while I was her trainer. It ended badly, he said. Some of it was my fault. A lot of it was Victoria’s manipulations, and Elena is a complicated woman.

So she’s what to you now? I asked, afraid of the answer.

She’s the mother of my child, and I owe it to my daughter to at least try and work out our issues. I know it’s hard to understand. I’m not sure I understand it. All I know is that I need to do what is right for my child and at this moment it’s having both her parents working together to make her life better.

Even though her mother is a complete psycho? I asked.

He groaned.

Elena asked Abigail to kill you, I said, exasperation tainting my voice.

That was all a misunderstanding courtesy of Victoria. Elena thought I’d helped Victoria take our daughter away from her. She thought I was part of Victoria’s plans, he said with a pleading tone. When I left her to work for Von Zimmer, she’d just found out she was pregnant and then when Victoria took our child away from her as well, it drove her crazy. So please try to put yourself in her shoes. She’s been through a lot, and she needs all of us to set our problems with her aside.

I sighed.

And don’t forget, you were the one who worked with Elena on the Island to put Victoria down, he said. So you were the one who opened the door to her in the first place. Just saying.

That was different, I said. Elena was the lesser of two evils, and I didn’t think I’d have to deal with seeing her every day, let alone live under the same roof with her.

I know it’s difficult, especially after everything she did to you, but it wasn’t personal, he said with a shrug.

It sure felt personal, I said under my breath.

You don’t need to be her best friend, but please, as my friend, just give her a chance, he pleaded. And I’m a father now. I need to put my daughter first. Please understand.

I’ll try not to kill her, but I can’t promise anything, I said with a half-hearted smile, picked up my feet and ran past him. I’d heard enough and couldn’t deal with the storm of emotions I was feeling. I needed to run.

I heard him sigh once more before he