Crack in the wall of the crystal castle

Intro to the new novel by Chris Norgate. working title.  Crack in the wall of the crystal castle.

Fingers, as cold as the icicle they now snapped from the low grotto roof, felt a single drop of melt water trickle across them. The heat from the two bodies now walking inside had a remarkable effect upon the small cave which had sat untouched and unchanging from the centuries of snow outside.

Thick furs provided almost all the protection the leading figure needed against the cold but utterly failed against the chill of the icicle as it was plunged deep into the back of his neck. He dropped to his knees in shock and pain. Blood froze instantly as it spurted against protruding ice, cascading to the cavern floor as tiny rose tinted diamonds.

“But…” the man hazarded through desperate gasps to suck air through his ruptured throat. “Why?

“Oh my love, I shall remember you fondly forever, but I can’t trust anyone not to spit a secret as powerful as this onto the wind, not when I’m this close.”

The cold woman collected the prize that was no longer hidden and strode from the grotto before the man’s final warm, misted breath cooled within the air.

Coming Summer 2019