Paradiso: The Opening Scene

I've decided to post the first scene for Paradiso as the sneak peek. Everything else jusut spoils too much (a lot is about to go down, Friends). It's a very brief scene, and I might throw in the following scenes after it just to keep up interest (after all, it only gets cooler!).

With that said, Paradiso kicks off not with Atlas leaving Dierock, but of a group of old faces you might recall from the beginning of the book. ;)

Paradiso, Chapter One, Scene One:

Tess cast a final, lingering glance at the bay. The Junkcraft of The Royal Wreckage sat forlorn, its grime-streaked windows and a blackened, clipped wing untouched after months of neglect. The air hung heavy with the bitter, rustic scent of oil and dust—a stench Velis would never have tolerated. Her eyes drifted to the unsold junk pile in the corner, a burdensome heap that, oddly, never seemed to matter.

This life is over, she thought, but it was never a real life to begin with.

She stepped into the office, where a long-hidden door beneath the desk stood open. A faint hum reverberated through the bay as Velis’ messy brunette bun came into view, rising on the ascender.

Tess leaned against the crooked desk, one hand on her hip. “Forget anything?”

Velis’ full form emerged, an empty crate cradled in her arms as the ascender halted. “Feels like it,” she said, pausing to survey the room. “But no, everything’s ready.”

Tess’ fingers brushed the smoke in her pocket, tempted to light it and dull the ache in her chest. “Yeah, I get you.”

Her eyes shimmered as she set the crate down and leaned against the wall, gazing at the flickering overhead light. “What he did to Atlas… it was the right call, wasn’t it?”

No, Tess’ heart screamed, but her mind knew better: in war, sacrifices were inevitable. “He’ll come out stronger,” she said, her throat suddenly parched.

Her gaze wandered back to the bay, conjuring the image of a dark-haired boy with bright eyes, toddling on chubby legs as Velis and Edonis chased him. His giggles echoed in her memory, sharp, as if it were yesterday. Tess bit her cheek, slamming the door on the flood of emotions. She didn’t cry. Ever. “Think he’ll hate us?” Her voice nearly broke, followed by a nervous laugh.

Tears streaked down Velis’ cheeks. “He better not. We practically raised that little monkey.”

The ascender’s hum returned, and Edonis’ bald head rose into view. His jaw was set, eyes filled with an intensity Tess hadn’t seen in cycles. “Weapons are polished and ready. She’s primed to sing.” His shoulders tensed, hesitating.

“But?” Velis asked.

“’But,’ Edonis confirmed, 'Pyros tabbed me. They’ve launched the first strike.”

Tess’ heart lurched. “Shit,” she muttered, yanking the smoke from her pocket as fear and anxiety surged like a spiked drink.

Velis paled. She’d always seemed the most at ease in the humble life they’d been living.

He pressed on, “They’re sending a team to grab Atlas on Dierock and a main force to hunt for Theros and Gaius in Eiden’s Cells. With those two back…” He shook his head, a faint grin tugging at his mouth. “It’s been a long damn time.”

Tess found herself smiling as she flicked on her smoke, letting it dangle from her lips. “Stars, I’ve missed those fools,” she said, her thoughts lingering on Gaius—her right hand, her partner in crime for so long.

We’re coming for you idiots.

Velis wrung her hands tightly. “We haven’t heard from them since they were taken.”

“Like we had a choice,” he said, crossing his thick arms.

“What, want to leave them there?” Tess stepped forward, gripping Velis’ shoulders and locking eyes with her. “Vel, the Gang’s reuniting. We can finally finish what we started.”

She looked away, guilt shadowing her face. “At what cost?” she whispered.

“Dear,” Edonis said, stepping in as Tess moved aside. He leaned close, his broad nose nearly brushing hers. “There’s no limit on the blood they’ve spilled. It’s been cycles, but don’t forget what they did to our people.”

Emotion washed over her, and she nodded slowly. “You’re right. I’m just… worried about Atlas. We shouldn’t have kept him in the dark. He’s a victim, too.”

Tess sighed, her heart agreeing despite her urge to argue. “He’ll sort out who the good guys are. Kid’s sharp.”

“That, he is— his father’s son,” Edonis added. “We did right by him—a normal, happy childhood. A solid foundation is what matters.”

Velis nodded again, her red-rimmed eyes drying. “Yeah, he’s all that. Though more of a smart-ass, really.”

They shared a warm chuckle before he stepped back onto the ascender. “Time to move. Say goodbye to the Salvage Belt.”

“Goodbye?” Tess snorted. “Good riddance.”

Only Velis seemed to disagree, her saddened eyes lingering off to nowhere until, one by one, they descended. Tess took a final drag, closing her eyes in the dimness, picturing the Nebu Ra’ah below—sleek, stunning, and ready to soar among the stars once more.

With Gaius.