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    The Swordswoman and the Vampire: Second Acts of Weary Warrior Women
    The Swordswoman and the Vampire: Second Acts of Weary Warrior Women
    The Swordswoman and the Vampire: Second Acts of Weary Warrior Women
    Ebook61 pages48 minutes

    The Swordswoman and the Vampire: Second Acts of Weary Warrior Women

    By Elizabeth F. Shearly

    ()

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    About this ebook

    She traded her sword for a paintbrush. Time to trade back.

    Ama practices her swordplay in the trees where none of the villagers have to watch, paints pictures no one wants, and then drinks in the tavern the rest of the time. She only has one escape. Her heart pounds as the vampire, whose name she doesn't even know, sinks his fangs into her throat. She stares at the two of them in the mirror, and for a second she's transported back to another time: she's a green soldier with dreams of valour, and he's her doting husband. Her dead husband. She panics and does something she's never done before.

    Now her days are spent obsessing over a wish she gave up on a decade ago. But she's learned the hard way that the more you have, the more you can lose. Better to have nothing at all . . . right?

    The Swordswoman and the Vampire is a historical fantasy romance novelette. See the book page on Elizabeth F. Shearly's website for content notes.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherElizabeth Shearly
    Release dateSep 12, 2023
    ISBN9781738890057
    The Swordswoman and the Vampire: Second Acts of Weary Warrior Women
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    Author

    Elizabeth F. Shearly

    Elizabeth F. Shearly writes science fiction and fantasy tales, from flash fiction to novels and everything in between. She holds a B.Sc. in physics, and you'll find plenty of science in her science fiction, though the fiction always takes precedence! No matter what she writes about—spaceships or magic, walking cities or medieval castles—romance always finds a way to blossom, whether as the main plot or as a background story.  When she’s not watching characters play-act in her head, you can find her relaxing on the couch with her two cats, playing a video game or knitting a sweater. Join the monthly newsletter to get the FREE flash fiction collection Keep the Good Parts, at join.elizabethshearly.ca 

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      Book preview

      The Swordswoman and the Vampire - Elizabeth F. Shearly

      Copyright © 2023 Elizabeth F. Shearly

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or distributed without express permission.

      ISBN (eBook): 978-1-7388900-5-7

      For more information, visit www.elizabethshearly.ca

      Edited by Maggie Morris, The Indie Editor

      Cover design by James, GoOnWrite.com

      This is a work of fiction. The story and characters are strictly products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to real people, living or dead, is unintentional and entirely coincidental.

      Also by Elizabeth F. Shearly

      Keep the Good Parts

      Endless Sea of Stars

      Dread Spring

      For Laura

      My unwavering cheerleader; an anchor in my family, both born and made; and a whiz with a paintbrush.

      WITH HER SHIRTSLEEVES ROLLED up, the scars on Amaranth’s muscular forearms were obvious. A hundred cuts from a hundred battles. She straightened the chalk portrait hanging on the tavern wall, stepped away, and peered critically at it. The vampire’s dark eyes pulled her in as they had in person. She hadn’t even spoken to him, and yet it had seemed as though he knew her better than anyone else.

      Behind the bar, Olivia wiped her hands on her rough-spun linen apron and planted them on her hips. Who is he? she said. I haven’t seen him in my tavern before.

      Not surprising. He hadn’t seemed the type to so much as enter a tavern like this one. Perpetually smoky air, terse regulars, and cheap local ale didn’t do much to recommend the place. He hadn’t seemed the type to so much as set foot in their little village either, not without having been compelled by a summoning.

      I don’t know his name, said Ama.

      "You know him, in the carnal sense?" said Olivia and crossed her arms over her chest.

      Ama shook her head.

      I take it you want to? said Olivia.

      Ama just nodded. No sense in denying it. Olivia had set her up with vampires enough times. The tavern owner had an eye for them. She’d been the one to point a vampire out to Ama the night she met this mystery vamp . . .

      Ama drained her tankard and clunked it on the bar. The place was packed and rollicking, but somehow, a wide berth always seemed to open around where she sat at the end. Olivia bustled over, her hair afrizz and her apron askew.

      Another? she said.

      Ama grunted, and Olivia waved away her attempt to pay for it. The hero of Griston didn’t pay for drinks. When Olivia swapped her empty tankard for a full one, she nodded across the throng.

      In case you’re looking for company tonight, she said and was immediately called away down the bar.

      The vampire Olivia had pointed out was a baby, all tousled hair and boisterous laughter. Probably younger than Ama. He’d never do on his own, but he had his uses. Ama nursed her last drink of the night and waved to Olivia when it was empty. She crossed through the thinning crowd to the vampire’s table, where he was making up some story to a group of wide-eyed youths, hanging on his every word.

      . . . and then I snatched it from his jaws! he said, flashing a smile.

      Ama crossed her arms over her chest. Hey, vamp, she said. Want to go?

      His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his gaze flicked to the door.

      You can come back after, said Ama. It won’t take long.

      The vamp’s adoring fans had been rendered catatonic with awe at Ama’s presence, and she grit her teeth. When the vamp nodded, Ama towed him quickly outside, across the dark square, and into the narrow alley behind her house. It wouldn’t do to have someone overhear the summoning.

      Shall I compel you, or do you know the words? said Ama.

      You mean, you don’t want to . . . ? said the vamp.

      Ama quirked an eyebrow. With you? No offence, but you’re a little young for me.

      I’ve never done the summoning before. Compel me? He swallowed again and his eyes had a puppy-dog quality that left a bad taste in Ama’s mouth.

      She took his hand so their

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