Containing Malice And Names
Illona, the heroine of Containing Malice, is named after a reading buddy. She sent me an email. I told her I loved her name and would be using it in a future story. (grins) That’s the danger of contacting me. If you have a name I haven’t yet used in a story, I will likely steal it and add it to my list.
Medic Febris (whom the Dear Wonderful Hubby calls Febreze after the odor elimination product – grins), Illona’s friend, is named after the Roman Goddess, the protector of beings suffering from fever and malaria. The Goddess Febris was known for her honesty and her good judgment. Only you can decide if those characteristics can be applied to Illona’s friend.
Malice and Valor chose their names. Their names represent how they view themselves.
Malice does intend to do harm to others. (That includes Illona.) That, and protecting Valor, is his primary focus. He is very, very angry and plans to express that anger in violent ways.
Valor, once he is free, is determined to be worthy of his name. He is a very protective being (as Malice is) and he views himself as a futuristic version of a white knight. He merely has to find someone to save.
The baddies in Containing Malice are all named after serial killers. Most of my baddies are named after very bad people. I try not to taint other names with the baddies’ evil actions.
***
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Containing Malice
This tormented cyborg craves vengeance…and her.
***
Malice, a C Model cyborg, has spent his long lifespan enslaved by the Humanoid Alliance. His cruel manufacturers have hurt him in all the ways a male could be hurt.
His enemy has now added a new weapon to their arsenal—a tiny human medic with soft hands and a delectable scent. She experiments on him multiple times a shift, delivering pain…and frustration.
He wants her. He also seeks retribution.
Once Malice frees himself, he plans to achieve both of his goals, taking Medic Illona captive and ending her research…permanently.
Illona is as much a prisoner as the cyborgs she experiments on. Since her arrival at the Human Alliance’s secret laboratory, she has carefully, stealthily, crafted a plot to free her test subjects. To conceal her covert activities, the medic has been forced to harm beings rather than heal them.
The being she has damaged the most is also the cyborg she fiercely desires— Malice, a huge, gray-skinned, blue-eyed C Model with massive hands and a voice deeper than space. He hates her, has good reason to do so, and, when he’s freed, there’s a high probability he’ll kill her.
Illona will take that risk to ensure he survives.
***
Containing Malice is a STANDALONE enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It is the first of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.
Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/containing-malice/id1536770487
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/containing-malice-cynthia-sax/1137961594
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/containing-malice
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1049881
Topics: Story Insights | Comments Off on Containing Malice And Names
Why You Should Subscribe To My Newsletter
If you haven’t subscribed to my newsletter (you can subscribe to it here – http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/ ), you might wish to do so.
Why?
Because I’ll be sharing quite a few extra scenes from the new cyborg romance series there (They will also eventually be posted here – http://cynthiasax.com/extras/ – as I realize Gmail has been a pain in the a$$ about delivering newsletters…and many other forms of email lately. ).
I suspect once the identity of Power’s female is revealed (this will happen in Containing Malice), many reading buddies will wish to read about her background.
Why do I suspect that?
Because I wanted to hear about her background (grins). And now that I uncovered it, I want to share it with you.
That background will be glossed over in Seizing Power. You don’t have to read the extras to enjoy that story.
But if you want to have more details about their history, the newsletter scenes will provide that.
***
Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/
Containing Malice
This tormented cyborg craves vengeance…and her.
***
Malice, a C Model cyborg, has spent his long lifespan enslaved by the Humanoid Alliance. His cruel manufacturers have hurt him in all the ways a male could be hurt.
His enemy has now added a new weapon to their arsenal—a tiny human medic with soft hands and a delectable scent. She experiments on him multiple times a shift, delivering pain…and frustration.
He wants her. He also seeks retribution.
Once Malice frees himself, he plans to achieve both of his goals, taking Medic Illona captive and ending her research…permanently.
Illona is as much a prisoner as the cyborgs she experiments on. Since her arrival at the Human Alliance’s secret laboratory, she has carefully, stealthily, crafted a plot to free her test subjects. To conceal her covert activities, the medic has been forced to harm beings rather than heal them.
The being she has damaged the most is also the cyborg she fiercely desires— Malice, a huge, gray-skinned, blue-eyed C Model with massive hands and a voice deeper than space. He hates her, has good reason to do so, and, when he’s freed, there’s a high probability he’ll kill her.
Illona will take that risk to ensure he survives.
***
Containing Malice is a STANDALONE enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It is the first of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.
Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/containing-malice/id1536770487
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/containing-malice-cynthia-sax/1137961594
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/containing-malice
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1049881
Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Why You Should Subscribe To My Newsletter
Containing Malice – Second Scene Of The First Chapter
I’m sharing scenes from the first chapter of Containing Malice as we wait for its release of on February 2nd.
You can read the first scene from the first chapter of Containing Malice here:
This week I’m sharing the second scene of that first chapter.
***
“You touched her.” Picton, one of the guards, smirked at her. He stood in front of C589632’s chamber.
Nelson, one of his cronies, was positioned against the far wall. He acted as though he had heard, had seen, nothing.
“You’re going to die, Medic.” Picton’s tone was gleeful. “But not before you’re forced to decommission your favorite.”
A chill skittered down Illona’s spine. “I’m not decommissioning anyone.”
That was a process reserved for cyborgs, the half organic, half mechanic beings designed by the Humanoid Alliance to fight their many wars. During decommissioning, the manufactured warriors were dissected for functional parts while they were conscious. No pain inhibitors were utilized. It was a slow and torturous death.
“And I don’t have favorites.” She accessed the control panel by the chamber’s door. “They’re machines.”
That was the Humanoid Alliance view. She was a medic, was well aware cyborgs had human-like brains, as well as processors, were capable of independent thought and fierce emotions.
They also had the ability to form tight friendships, which was how they were being controlled. If C589632—Malice—ignored orders, Valor, his E Model friend, was tortured and threatened with decommissioning. That was, she suspected, the only reason the C Model hadn’t escaped.
And it was why she had to free both of them at the same time…if she, with Medic Febris’ assistance, could accomplish that feat. Neither of the cyborgs would leave without the other.
“You didn’t hear the news.” The malevolent gleam in Picton’s eyes told Illona that news wouldn’t be good. “They’re ending the cyborg program. Some mad being has been targeting all the labs containing them, blowing the structures to shit.” His laugh held no humor. “The Humanoid Alliance aren’t taking the risk of keeping the machines. Your favorite has ten planet rotations, fifteen at the most, left, and then he’ll be replacement parts, his pretty face carved into pieces. By you.” He laughed again. “I can’t wait to see that.”
Illona wanted to dismiss the male’s words as the maniacal ramblings of a being who had been stationed in the remote lab for too long a duration.
But she had heard the same rumors about an unknown force blowing up labs that contained cyborgs. That had strengthened her resolve to liberate her patients before she died.
She would help a few more beings…if that was possible.
Picton would prevent that from happening if he knew about her plans. The male inflicted pain whenever he had the occasion to do that.
His previous planet rotation activities proved that to be true.
“The logs say you entered the chamber during the rest cycle.” She frowned at the control panel.
The guard would have brutalized Malice during that visit. He hated the cyborg, took every opportunity he was given to hurt the male.
Normally, she wouldn’t say anything. There was nothing she could do or say that would stop the abuse permanently, and mentioning it often made it worse. But to free Malice and Valor, she had to push Picton to take extreme action, to seek revenge against her.
“The machine became agitated.” The guard shrugged. “I had to calm it down.”
That was bovine shit. “The next time you have to calm it down during a rest cycle, contact me.” She met the guard’s gaze. “Either I’m present, or there will be a notification on your file. Do you understand me?”
The male narrowed his eyes at her. “I understand.”
The more notifications a being had on his or her file, the higher the likelihood they would be unknowingly experimented upon. Picton had survived as long as he had by not being caught.
She didn’t have much power, but she did have ability to put him in peril. And threatening to do so would prompt Picton to seek to eliminate her…permanently.
That could save the cyborg she had grown to care too much about. She maintained her serene expression, hiding her emotions from view. “Has the chamber been prepared?”
“The portable medic station has been locked in place. The machine has been stunned and strapped to the horizontal support.” Picton caressed the handle of his reprimand stick, his torture tool of choice. “It resisted that process.”
Fuck. The male had beaten Malice…likely after the cyborg had been restrained.
“Then you can take your break.” She opened the door to the chamber.
“You’ll take a stick to the head. Soon.” The guard said that under his breath as the door closed behind her.
If he had said the words louder, she’d have the proof she needed to write him up for that also. But Picton knew the system, knew his voice had been too soft for the monitoring equipment to register.
Reporting a being without proof deleted one notification from the accused’s file and added a notification to the accuser’s file. Illona wouldn’t survive a harsher experiment, and she needed the extra planet rotations. She had beings to save.
The male strapped to the horizontal support was one of those beings.
He wouldn’t appreciate her sacrifice.
***
Read the next scene (available January 18th) here: http://tasteofcyn.com/?p=7822
***
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Containing Malice
This tormented cyborg craves vengeance…and her.
***
Malice, a C Model cyborg, has spent his long lifespan enslaved by the Humanoid Alliance. His cruel manufacturers have hurt him in all the ways a male could be hurt.
His enemy has now added a new weapon to their arsenal—a tiny human medic with soft hands and a delectable scent. She experiments on him multiple times a shift, delivering pain…and frustration.
He wants her. He also seeks retribution.
Once Malice frees himself, he plans to achieve both of his goals, taking Medic Illona captive and ending her research…permanently.
Illona is as much a prisoner as the cyborgs she experiments on. Since her arrival at the Human Alliance’s secret laboratory, she has carefully, stealthily, crafted a plot to free her test subjects. To conceal her covert activities, the medic has been forced to harm beings rather than heal them.
The being she has damaged the most is also the cyborg she fiercely desires— Malice, a huge, gray-skinned, blue-eyed C Model with massive hands and a voice deeper than space. He hates her, has good reason to do so, and, when he’s freed, there’s a high probability he’ll kill her.
Illona will take that risk to ensure he survives.
***
Containing Malice is a STANDALONE enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It is the first of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.
Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/containing-malice/id1536770487
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/containing-malice-cynthia-sax/1137961594
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/containing-malice
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1049881
Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Containing Malice – Second Scene Of The First Chapter
Cynthia Sax Weekly Update – January 10th
I’ve completed my mini reading vacation and am super relaxed AND super inspired. The plot for Under Strain was simmering in the back of my brain during the writing break and I’ve figured out some ways to make it even more wonderful than it already is.
This upcoming week, I’ll be working on that second draft. The plan is to complete the first 11 (of 18) chapters. I have a gazillion pages of notes and am ready to create some magic. (grins)
This past week, North Bound made the semi-finals for the Swoon Awards’ Best Science-Fiction Romance of 2020. Woot! You can vote (for up to FIVE titles per category) here – http://www.theswoonawards.com/2021/01/the-2020-swoon-award-semi-finals.html .
I’ve completed quite a bit of informal research on pandemics (due to personal interest and for Doc’s Orders) and the time period between the first vaccinations and achieving that 80-90% vaccination threshold is often the most dangerous and most deadly duration of any pandemic. This is NOT the time to relax our guards, my friends. Be as safe as you can. (big hugs) I’m taking this time to read more awesome books! Hey, when the universe speaks, I listen. (grins)
***
Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/
Containing Malice
This tormented cyborg craves vengeance…and her.
***
Malice, a C Model cyborg, has spent his long lifespan enslaved by the Humanoid Alliance. His cruel manufacturers have hurt him in all the ways a male could be hurt.
His enemy has now added a new weapon to their arsenal—a tiny human medic with soft hands and a delectable scent. She experiments on him multiple times a shift, delivering pain…and frustration.
He wants her. He also seeks retribution.
Once Malice frees himself, he plans to achieve both of his goals, taking Medic Illona captive and ending her research…permanently.
Illona is as much a prisoner as the cyborgs she experiments on. Since her arrival at the Human Alliance’s secret laboratory, she has carefully, stealthily, crafted a plot to free her test subjects. To conceal her covert activities, the medic has been forced to harm beings rather than heal them.
The being she has damaged the most is also the cyborg she fiercely desires— Malice, a huge, gray-skinned, blue-eyed C Model with massive hands and a voice deeper than space. He hates her, has good reason to do so, and, when he’s freed, there’s a high probability he’ll kill her.
Illona will take that risk to ensure he survives.
***
Containing Malice is a STANDALONE enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It is the first of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.
Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/containing-malice/id1536770487
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/containing-malice-cynthia-sax/1137961594
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/containing-malice
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1049881
Topics: Cynthia Sax Weekly Update | Comments Off on Cynthia Sax Weekly Update – January 10th
Starting With Containing Malice
Some reading buddies have asked me if they can enjoy Containing Malice, the first story in the Rebel Cyborgs series, without having read any of the other cyborg series or stories.
YES! Containing Malice was written assuming readers have never read any of my previous stories.
I was so concerned about getting that aspect right; I asked someone I respected who hasn’t read any of my cyborg romances to read the first 1,000 words. She had some awesome feedback, which I incorporated into the story. And with those changes, she had no problems being sucked into Malice and Illona’s story.
Of course, reading buddies who have read the previous stories will have more insights into events and the histories of the other cyborgs and females mentioned. (grins)
And Releasing Rage, as of today, is still FREE everywhere. If you like Releasing Rage, you will likely enjoy Containing Malice and you’ll have a greater understanding of cyborgs and their universe. You might consider trying this FREE story first.
But you don’t have to do that. You can start happily with Containing Malice.
***
Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/
Containing Malice
This tormented cyborg craves vengeance…and her.
***
Malice, a C Model cyborg, has spent his long lifespan enslaved by the Humanoid Alliance. His cruel manufacturers have hurt him in all the ways a male could be hurt.
His enemy has now added a new weapon to their arsenal—a tiny human medic with soft hands and a delectable scent. She experiments on him multiple times a shift, delivering pain…and frustration.
He wants her. He also seeks retribution.
Once Malice frees himself, he plans to achieve both of his goals, taking Medic Illona captive and ending her research…permanently.
Illona is as much a prisoner as the cyborgs she experiments on. Since her arrival at the Human Alliance’s secret laboratory, she has carefully, stealthily, crafted a plot to free her test subjects. To conceal her covert activities, the medic has been forced to harm beings rather than heal them.
The being she has damaged the most is also the cyborg she fiercely desires— Malice, a huge, gray-skinned, blue-eyed C Model with massive hands and a voice deeper than space. He hates her, has good reason to do so, and, when he’s freed, there’s a high probability he’ll kill her.
Illona will take that risk to ensure he survives.
***
Containing Malice is a STANDALONE enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It is the first of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.
Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/containing-malice/id1536770487
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/containing-malice-cynthia-sax/1137961594
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/containing-malice
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1049881
Topics: Story Insights | Comments Off on Starting With Containing Malice
Containing Malice And Underground Labs
I think every villain with the capabilities or resources should have an underground laboratory.
I know. I know. This is almost a cliché for villains but there’s a reason for that – underground labs are SUPER COOL.
Since I was a little kid, I’ve been enthralled with them. Having a secret space, a place hidden away from the rest of the universe, where we could experiment and plot to take over the world is so fraggin’ bad a$$.
There are, of course, symbolic reasons why villains have underground labs. It suggests the experiments, the activities within them are so bad; they shouldn’t see the light of day. Underground labs hint at links to the Hell, to the Underworld. Their placements imply they are something decrepit or rotten, deserving to be buried.
But mostly…they’re so very awesome. (grins)
In Containing Malice, Malice and Illona are trapped in an underground lab run by the evil Humanoid Alliance. It is a site many villains would envy and less nefarious beings plot to escape from.
(cue evil laughter)
The little girl in me is thrilled.
***
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Containing Malice
This tormented cyborg craves vengeance…and her.
***
Malice, a C Model cyborg, has spent his long lifespan enslaved by the Humanoid Alliance. His cruel manufacturers have hurt him in all the ways a male could be hurt.
His enemy has now added a new weapon to their arsenal—a tiny human medic with soft hands and a delectable scent. She experiments on him multiple times a shift, delivering pain…and frustration.
He wants her. He also seeks retribution.
Once Malice frees himself, he plans to achieve both of his goals, taking Medic Illona captive and ending her research…permanently.
Illona is as much a prisoner as the cyborgs she experiments on. Since her arrival at the Human Alliance’s secret laboratory, she has carefully, stealthily, crafted a plot to free her test subjects. To conceal her covert activities, the medic has been forced to harm beings rather than heal them.
The being she has damaged the most is also the cyborg she fiercely desires— Malice, a huge, gray-skinned, blue-eyed C Model with massive hands and a voice deeper than space. He hates her, has good reason to do so, and, when he’s freed, there’s a high probability he’ll kill her.
Illona will take that risk to ensure he survives.
***
Containing Malice is a STANDALONE enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It is the first of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.
Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/containing-malice/id1536770487
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/containing-malice-cynthia-sax/1137961594
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/containing-malice
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1049881
Topics: Story Insights | Comments Off on Containing Malice And Underground Labs
Containing Malice And Medical Heroines Here On Earth
Illona, the heroine of Containing Malice, is a medic who is forced into an evil scientist role by the Humanoid Alliance. Her goal in her life is to heal beings. She has to, unfortunately, harm them while she is under the Humanoid Alliance’s control.
Illona will do anything to help her patients i.e. test subjects. She puts their lifespans, their happiness and safety before her own. Helping others is her one mission in life.
While I was recording Illona and Malice’s story, I, of course, was thinking about the many medical personnel who have placed their own lives in danger while fighting the pandemic here on Earth.
Medical personnel (and that includes all the support staff such as cleaners and admin staff) have made the ultimate sacrifices in this fight. They have risked so very much. And you are all heroines and heroes in my eyes. (big hugs) I see you and your big, brave, giving hearts.
***
Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/
Containing Malice
This tormented cyborg craves vengeance…and her.
***
Malice, a C Model cyborg, has spent his long lifespan enslaved by the Humanoid Alliance. His cruel manufacturers have hurt him in all the ways a male could be hurt.
His enemy has now added a new weapon to their arsenal—a tiny human medic with soft hands and a delectable scent. She experiments on him multiple times a shift, delivering pain…and frustration.
He wants her. He also seeks retribution.
Once Malice frees himself, he plans to achieve both of his goals, taking Medic Illona captive and ending her research…permanently.
Illona is as much a prisoner as the cyborgs she experiments on. Since her arrival at the Human Alliance’s secret laboratory, she has carefully, stealthily, crafted a plot to free her test subjects. To conceal her covert activities, the medic has been forced to harm beings rather than heal them.
The being she has damaged the most is also the cyborg she fiercely desires— Malice, a huge, gray-skinned, blue-eyed C Model with massive hands and a voice deeper than space. He hates her, has good reason to do so, and, when he’s freed, there’s a high probability he’ll kill her.
Illona will take that risk to ensure he survives.
***
Containing Malice is a STANDALONE enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It is the first of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.
Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/containing-malice/id1536770487
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/containing-malice-cynthia-sax/1137961594
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/containing-malice
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1049881
Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Containing Malice And Medical Heroines Here On Earth
Containing Malice – First Scene Of The First Chapter
Woot! It is countdown time for the release of Containing Malice, the first exciting standalone story in the Rebel Cyborgs series!
While we wait for Containing Malice to release on February 2nd, I’ll be sharing the first chapter, starting today with the first scene.
***
Chapter One
Help as many beings as you can.
Illona stared at the doors leading from the laboratory to the exterior landing pad.
That mandate given to her by Medic Anahit, her much beloved and long deceased mentor, was the only thing preventing her from walking through the exit.
Assisting beings was her legacy, her way of making a difference in the world, a vain attempt at being remembered, of ensuring someone missed her, thought of her after she died.
She was tempted to forgo that, to tell herself she had done enough. The Humanoid Alliance, her heartless captors, sought to design a new biological weapon. They had injected an unknown substance into the beverages she consumed. That product of their cruel and twisted minds now ran like ice through her veins, freezing her to her core, leaving her feeling frail and brittle and in absolute agony.
One step forward, one booted foot set over the threshold, could stop that hurt. The explosive the Humanoid Alliance had implanted under her chin would detonate. The nightmare she was living would end. It would be messy and painful, but it would be quick.
She brushed her fingers over that patch of skin. Her emotional suffering was as intense as her physical torment. The enemy had forced her to do horrible things to other beings.
That had carved away parts of her soul, parts of her. The urge to give up, to embrace her inevitable death, was strong.
Her quest to make her lifespan matter was stronger. There were beings she could assist, beings she might be able to free.
She took one last look at the door, gathered her white jacket tighter around her chilled form, and hurried along the brightly lit hallway.
Monitoring equipment, mounted high on the wall, followed her progress. The structure rarely had visitors. It was one huge experiment, with everyone—including medics like herself—being test subjects. But the Humanoid Alliance was always watching them.
She could fool the monitoring equipment in her private quarters. They looked at images of an empty space all planet rotation. She couldn’t modify the monitoring equipment in the hallways and public areas, not without the Humanoid Alliance noticing. That was beyond her capabilities.
Her shoulders edged higher as she neared the portals to the resurrection testing chambers.
A being flung himself at the clear wall dividing her from him. She jerked. The naked male fell, leaving a dark-gray smear on the surface. His face was twisted into a permanent silent scream.
More and more beings hit the portals. They were the dead reanimated, one of the Humanoid Alliance’s many experiments, and they were continuously rotting. The pain they endured must have been excruciating. It made her hurt seem like nothing in comparison.
Their attempts to kill themselves disturbed her. She shifted abruptly to the right, away from them. One of her shoulders smacked into something solid.
The impact knocked her off-balance. She fell. The female she’d collided with also toppled to the floor. A private viewscreen skidded across the tiles.
“Watch where you’re going, Medic.” Medic Febris, a fellow captive, shouted that response, giving the beings watching the monitored feed the antagonism they expected.
They believed Medic Febris was Illona’s sworn enemy. It was a misconception both of them reinforced.
Friendships were dangerous in the lab. The Humanoid Alliance used any and all connections against them. It was best to keep the true nature of their relationship secret.
Medic Febris grabbed her by the shoulders, brought her face closer to hers. “I’m dying, Illona.” She whispered that horrible revelation. Blood so dark it was almost black trickled from the female’s nostrils. “I have two planet rotations left, three at the most.”
Stars. Illona blinked back tears. She was losing her friend.
There was no time to grieve. The monitoring equipment was fixed on them. The enemy was watching.
She pushed aside her sorrow and focused on their plan. The steps had been outlined during previous collisions. Both of them had known what their fates would be.
They would make Medic Febris’ death count, would have one more big adventure before they parted. “We meet at sunrise.” Illona had arrangements to make before that time.
Medic Febris nodded. “We have to do it then.” Her gaze lifted to one of the gray smears on the portal above them. “I can’t end up in there.”
If they died with their brains intact, they would be brought back to life, would become test subjects for the resurrection experiment. That was a fate worse than death.
“I won’t let you down.” Illona was a healer, not a warrior, but she would summon the strength to kill her friend herself before she allowed Medic Febris to suffer like that. “Get your hands off me.” That was yelled for the beings watching them through the monitoring equipment.
Hate and hurting was acceptable. Friendship and love were quickly pounded out of beings in the lab.
The Humanoid Alliance wanted them to be as miserable as possible.
And they had succeeded in that mission. Illona scrambled to her booted feet, kicked the private viewscreen toward Medic Febris, and strode down the hallway. The cool expression on her face concealed her emotional devastation.
In a planet rotation, she would be alone.
Or she would wish she was solitary.
***
Read the next scene (available January 11th) here: http://tasteofcyn.com/?p=7820
***
Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/
Containing Malice
This tormented cyborg craves vengeance…and her.
***
Malice, a C Model cyborg, has spent his long lifespan enslaved by the Humanoid Alliance. His cruel manufacturers have hurt him in all the ways a male could be hurt.
His enemy has now added a new weapon to their arsenal—a tiny human medic with soft hands and a delectable scent. She experiments on him multiple times a shift, delivering pain…and frustration.
He wants her. He also seeks retribution.
Once Malice frees himself, he plans to achieve both of his goals, taking Medic Illona captive and ending her research…permanently.
Illona is as much a prisoner as the cyborgs she experiments on. Since her arrival at the Human Alliance’s secret laboratory, she has carefully, stealthily, crafted a plot to free her test subjects. To conceal her covert activities, the medic has been forced to harm beings rather than heal them.
The being she has damaged the most is also the cyborg she fiercely desires— Malice, a huge, gray-skinned, blue-eyed C Model with massive hands and a voice deeper than space. He hates her, has good reason to do so, and, when he’s freed, there’s a high probability he’ll kill her.
Illona will take that risk to ensure he survives.
***
Containing Malice is a STANDALONE enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It is the first of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.
Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/containing-malice/id1536770487
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/containing-malice-cynthia-sax/1137961594
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/containing-malice
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1049881
Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Containing Malice – First Scene Of The First Chapter
Cynthia Sax Weekly Update – January 3rd
This is my first weekly update of 2021 and ironically, I don’t have much to update you on. (sheepish grin) I’ve been spending some awesome quality time with the Dear Wonderful Hubby, reading delicious romances, sleeping in until noon, and chatting with loved ones over Zoom or Zoom-like systems.
That’s my plan for this upcoming week also.
I’ve done a tiny bit of work on the second draft of Under Strain, the second story in the Rebel Cyborgs series (releasing in May). I will likely do a tiny bit more this week. Next week, I’ll roll up my sleeves and get to work on it.
The bones for Under Strain are already strong but I find when I get an opportunity to take a break between the first draft and the second draft (this happens very rarely), the story is usually much, MUCH stronger for that break. This story will ROCK.
I hope you are all doing well and staying safe. (big hugs) We only have a little while more to go until the vaccines roll out to everyone. We will all want to be well and rested for those sure-to-be wild celebrations. (smiles)
***
Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/
Containing Malice
This tormented cyborg craves vengeance…and her.
***
Malice, a C Model cyborg, has spent his long lifespan enslaved by the Humanoid Alliance. His cruel manufacturers have hurt him in all the ways a male could be hurt.
His enemy has now added a new weapon to their arsenal—a tiny human medic with soft hands and a delectable scent. She experiments on him multiple times a shift, delivering pain…and frustration.
He wants her. He also seeks retribution.
Once Malice frees himself, he plans to achieve both of his goals, taking Medic Illona captive and ending her research…permanently.
Illona is as much a prisoner as the cyborgs she experiments on. Since her arrival at the Human Alliance’s secret laboratory, she has carefully, stealthily, crafted a plot to free her test subjects. To conceal her covert activities, the medic has been forced to harm beings rather than heal them.
The being she has damaged the most is also the cyborg she fiercely desires— Malice, a huge, gray-skinned, blue-eyed C Model with massive hands and a voice deeper than space. He hates her, has good reason to do so, and, when he’s freed, there’s a high probability he’ll kill her.
Illona will take that risk to ensure he survives.
***
Containing Malice is a STANDALONE enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It is the first of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.
Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/containing-malice/id1536770487
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/containing-malice-cynthia-sax/1137961594
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/containing-malice
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1049881
Topics: Cynthia Sax Weekly Update | Comments Off on Cynthia Sax Weekly Update – January 3rd
Containing Malice, Darkness And Happy Endings
Containing Malice, February’s cyborg romance release, starts out very dark (Releasing Rage and Ghost Of A Machine level of dark). Both the heroine, Illona, and the hero, Malice, are trapped in a horrific situation. She is forced to hurt him. He is forced to endure it. This is sucking the hope out of not only them but many of the beings captured with them.
Containing Malice is also, I believe, one of the most romantic stories I’ve ever written.
I don’t think this is a coincidence. I think their love, their light shines more brightly because of the darkness. The pain and tragedy and sacrifice Illona and Malice have endured during their lifespans accentuates all they eventually gain. They’ve known sorrow, can better appreciate joy, have fought to merely survive, would do even more to truly live.
***
Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/
Containing Malice
This tormented cyborg craves vengeance…and her.
***
Malice, a C Model cyborg, has spent his long lifespan enslaved by the Humanoid Alliance. His cruel manufacturers have hurt him in all the ways a male could be hurt.
His enemy has now added a new weapon to their arsenal—a tiny human medic with soft hands and a delectable scent. She experiments on him multiple times a shift, delivering pain…and frustration.
He wants her. He also seeks retribution.
Once Malice frees himself, he plans to achieve both of his goals, taking Medic Illona captive and ending her research…permanently.
Illona is as much a prisoner as the cyborgs she experiments on. Since her arrival at the Human Alliance’s secret laboratory, she has carefully, stealthily, crafted a plot to free her test subjects. To conceal her covert activities, the medic has been forced to harm beings rather than heal them.
The being she has damaged the most is also the cyborg she fiercely desires— Malice, a huge, gray-skinned, blue-eyed C Model with massive hands and a voice deeper than space. He hates her, has good reason to do so, and, when he’s freed, there’s a high probability he’ll kill her.
Illona will take that risk to ensure he survives.
***
Containing Malice is a STANDALONE enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It is the first of five core stories in the Rebel Cyborgs Series.
Book 1: Containing Malice
Book 2: Under Strain
Book 3: Baring Grudge
Book 4: B Free
Book 5: Seizing Power
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08LK4CWHS
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/containing-malice/id1536770487
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/containing-malice-cynthia-sax/1137961594
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/containing-malice
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1049881
Topics: Story Insights | Comments Off on Containing Malice, Darkness And Happy Endings
