Author:
Alex McGilvery has been reading since before he can remember, and writing almost that long. He has published 18 books and is author and editor at his imprint Celticfrog Publishing. He lives in Kamloops with his dog and the stories clawing their way out of his head.

They’re chasing a myth in the name of science.

Calliope works for her explorer father as an artist, recording what he brings back from his journeys in her sketchbooks. When she’s given a chance to go along on a trip to capture a sea serpent she doesn’t hesitate.

Life at sea isn't what she expected, and she ends up fascinated by the engine room of the steamship HMRV Peregrine. A tragedy makes her assistant engineer, but Pentam, her father’s protégé, is even more determined than her father to make Cal a fine lady. That means protecting her from danger, even if it drives her crazy.
When science and legend collide, Cal is the one who must take up the challenge of survival, even if it means risking her new-found feelings for Pentam.

Calliope

The men ran from both directions, spreading out across the width of the bridge to leave no space to escape.


They were no more than ten feet from the carriage when Bundo pulled the lever. With a loud hiss, steam poured out from beneath the carriage, hitting the cold stone of the bridge and making an instant fog.


Cal heaved the rope over the railing, then rolled over to stand on the outside of the bridge. She rappelled down the pillar to a few feet above the river. A ledge ran around the base of the pillar. Her feet on the ledge she hugged the stone and sidled around to the boat and climbed in, then unclipped from the rope. Shouts and curses came from above, then a splash told her someone had gone over the side. Bundo surfaced beside the boat and rolled into it.


Chapter 47: Keep Your Enemy Closer Part 3