The General’s Daughter Book Tour & Giveaway

He pointed toward the break where a tall black fin protruded through the
shimmering slate-blue water. It followed the waves until catching the crest that
lifted the massive, streamlined body above the peak. Richard stared,
dumbfounded, as the whale bodysurfed to the shore and launched onto the
smooth sand where he banked himself using his customary wiggle and jaw
snaps.
“He likes making a grand entrance. Sorry,” Michael sighed.
“Holy shit. He’s enormous.”
“His name’s Tonrar, but we call him Ton. He’s a young Brigg’s Orca who
claims me as his calf and is just as bossy and obnoxious as the other men in
my
life. Ton? This is Richard,” she said aloud as she imaged a mate.
Ton wasn’t impressed and spouted. Sam sighed and placed her palms on
either side of his snout and re-imaged her pod plus Richard. He spouted again.
“What’s going on?” the young man asked.
“I’m trying to introduce you as part of my pod and he isn’t thrilled about
it.”

“Pardon?” Richard looked at Michael.
“Bizarre, right? Don’t be insulted. So far, Sam’s the only human who’s
earned his regard. The rest of us Landwalkers are just shark chum.”
“Michael, please stop arguing with Ton and stop flipping him off. I can’t
concentrate,” Sam requested.
“I’m not flipping him off. He’s the one insulting me.”
“Are you imaging rotted fish being shoved in his face? Oh yeah, he told me.
Cut it out.”
“He has my face attached to a squid’s body. How is that fair?”
“It’s not, but he’s bigger than we are and knows better than to argue.”
“Mike, you need to explain what you guys are talking about. This
conversation between the two of you—”
“Three of us,” Sam corrected.
“Remember when you asked about what we do? This is part of it. Samantha
has a neuropathic connection with the cetaceans that seems to have been
activated by a neurotransmitter that I developed. I’m not wearing mine, but now
and then I get some stronger images flashed to me. I can sometimes send
images
back, especially with Ton. I know it’s hard to believe. It confounds me at times,
too.”
“No, you may not eat him! Ton, what’s wrong with you? My bull approved.
Will you please meet him?” The girl stomped her foot in frustration.
Richard looked skeptical. “Eat me? She’s kidding, right?”
“I’m afraid not. That’s Ton’s solution for everything. Don’t worry. He’s all
snort and little bite. Most of the time, anyway, and as long as you aren’t a shark
or attacking his calf. Just follow her instructions to the letter.”
“What the hell is she doing? Stop her!” Richard gasped as Sam climbed
inside the whale’s large mouth and stretched her body across his jaws. Michael
grabbed his arm to prevent him from running toward the pair.
“She knows what she’s doing. This is how she submits to him and shows
her trust. He’ll soften up soon. We aren’t going in until she gives the okay.”
“Samantha knows how to submit?” Richard asked, suppressing a twitch
from his mouth. “That’s an interesting choice of words to use to describe such
an
independent woman.”
“Independent or not, she is the only female in a house full of testosterone.
We allow her to exercise her feminine control only so much.”
“You better not be talking about me, Michael Scott! Ton’s sharing some
things that you’re saying and I don’t like them!” Sam remarked, working herself
deeper between the whale’s teeth.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, shrimp. Is Ton okay? You’re
freaking out Richard.”