I have news I know many of you have been waiting to hear: THE PAPERBACK OF AGAINST THE WIND IS NOW AVAILABLE!
Also, for those of you who ordered the e-book, there’s an updated version (sans typos—and I’m still hanging my head in author shame!) and I added a bonus section at the end. It should alert you to an update when you connect your device or app to wifi. The bonus section is also included in the paperback version.
As a thank you for all your support, here’s another deleted scene from Against the Wind. This was a case of the author (Hi! That’s me!) doing a ton of research and wanting to include it, and then their awesome editor saying, “So, yeah, that’s great and all but it doesn’t really do anything for the story…” And the author crying as they realized the amazing editor was correct and deleted all the words. (all of this is true, BTW…)
This scene was part of the Solstice ritual Stella performs, and was at the end of Chapter 12 if you want to read it in its entirety.
I started with the point of the altar to the east, facing the dwindling daylight as the year itself faded to nothing more than memories.Taking the ceremonial blade from the basket and dug its very sharp point into the tip of my thumb. A drop of blood welled; I pressed my thumb against the flat slab of snowflake obsidian that had been magically fused to the altar, using its cool, smooth surface to balance myself and then offer that balance to those around me. A sense of calm filled me as the black-and-white stone warmed under my touch, accepting the blood. With that first offering in place, I set the bright yellow candle in the center of the stone.
Staying on my knees, I slid to the south corner of the altar. The green nephrite rippled in the pale sun, the local stone connecting this altar to the land. I repeated the blood offering, sending intentions of protection and longevity, thinking on the generations of Pikes who’d performed this ritual, who’d protected this land and the nearby towns. Deep and low, a hum seeped through the cold ground, rumbling from my legs to the top of my head. I felt grounded, connected, and set the red candle in the center of the stone.
The snow quartz holder on the northern corner gleamed bright against the deep gray of the stone altar, my blood stark red against its pale surface. As I knelt, I thought of the many ways trackers helped not only the local community, but the country at large, and I focused on continued prosperity and good fortune—in whatever ways it presented itself—for all of us. With a zing, a sense of well-being flooded me. Another part of myself, my family, accepted. With a smile, I set the green candle in the center of the holder and moved to the final point.
Facing west toward the last sun of the fall season, I paused for a moment to admire the barely darkening sky. Though it wasn’t quite the end of the year’s shortest day, and only mid-afternoon locally, it would come quickly enough. Today we said our farewells to this year and welcomed in the new, a sentiment I was very happy to embrace, more so than in years past.
I pressed my thumb against the bloodstone holder, offering intensions of health and well-being for the community, and to myself. Doctor heal thyself, I thought, then countered with. How can I take care of everyone else if I neglect myself?
Joseph’s presence behind me suddenly became heavy with purpose. I didn’t have to heal myself. Wasn’t that what Vann had been saying for weeks? And what Cole had been trying to express in his own way? I was surrounded by people who loved me, who wanted to help. All I had to do was let them.
Fine! As soon as I get through this party, I’ll get help. I promise.
Eight-Fold chimed in with waves of approval, promising to be there for me, always.
Keeping an eye on the sun as it approached the mid-point of the stones, I set the blue candle in place. With all those intentions in mind, and holding other personal thoughts close to my heart, I lit each candle in turn. Four cheery flames wavered in the breeze, sizzling as the wax melted and dripped. The altar hummed with purpose, ready to share all I’d offered with the ley lines running below and through the land.
Eight-Fold reacted to the first part of the ritual and I buzzed from the inside out.
Hope you’re enjoying the deleted scenes! I still have a few more to share, too…
And this is where I add in a quick plea for reviews! Whether you’ve only read Bad Company so far, or have also read Against the Wind, it would mean so much if you’d take a minute to write a review wherever you normally do so. It doesn’t have to be a dissertation! Even a line or two makes all the difference in helping me find new readers.
Thanks and happy reading,
Jill 📚
P.S. Check out my on-going serialized story, Illegitimate Magic—a fantasy romance where there’s legit and illegit magic in the world—while you’re waiting on book 3 (which yes, I’m working on!) . Reach out if you have any questions about Kindle Vella and how to get started reading.