Venture Unleashed (The Venture Books) (30 page)

Venture couldn’t look at her; he could only feel the fear that his throbbing arm would never let him fight again, that the Cresteds weren’t done with him yet, that his brother hadn’t seen the end of worrying over him, that Jade wouldn’t be in his arms much longer. What was next, for him, for the two of them? Grant might not want to make a scene of taking Jade away now, but surely he wouldn’t give her up so easily.

Jade faced Venture. She laced her fingers through his. “We’re all proud of you.” She nodded over her shoulder at Dasher, Earnest, Chance, and—lingering behind them—Justice. “Let’s get you away from this crowd and taken care of, and then,” she said with a sweet smirk, “let’s celebrate.”

Venture returned her smile. He wasn’t sure what he ought to have done differently or what he ought to do next. He suspected his troubles were only just getting started, but he was just getting started, too. He was Champion of All Richland, and he wasn’t going to stop there.
 

<<< End >>>

A Note from the Author

Venture Unbroken
, the sequel to
Venture Unleashed
, is available now. Read more about sixteen-year-old Venture’s training and his relationship with Jade in
Boundless
, a novella that takes place during some of the time that lapses in
Venture Unleashed
.
Subscribe to my newsletter and get a free copy of
Boundless
now!
Look for the series in paperback, fall 2013!

About the Author

R.H. Russell has been on the mat with talented young fighters since 1993. Their ambitions, struggles, and triumphs inspired her to write the Venture books. She hopes to share the fascinating world of fighters with readers in a unique way—a way anyone can identify with, because she truly believes there’s a fighter in all of us. She's having a great time letting Venture and his friends loose to play on the page, writing about brawls and big dreams, betrayal and camaraderie, and of course, Venture and Jade’s forbidden love.

The author also writes the Unicorns of the Mist series as R.R. Russell.
Wonder Light
, the first of these novels for young readers, is now available.