My patrol had taken longer than I had anticipated, and I returned at dusk, the cold December air clinging to me as I snuck back into the house. After weeks of spying, I finally had the intel from the last… Continue Reading
Constable Gil Hadrian leaned against the side of a building, taking a break from his weaving walk through the alley somewhere in the Priesthorpe district of Ashford. All these temples looked alike after seven drinks. Or was it eight? He… Continue Reading
Crushed, frozen and unable to breathe, Brother Martin cried out in panic, “Lord, where am I?” “Dead, under a hundred feet of snow.” The Lord’s voice was clear and unaffected. “You’ve been buried for centuries on the side of the… Continue Reading
The Serpent shuddered as he stirred. He shifted his great coils, wrapped throughout the Earth, sending tremors across the planet. He had been perfectly still for a long time, and as he awoke quakes shook every continent. Something had interrupted… Continue Reading
The poem formed under his fingers: dull, shallow, and utterly lacking in cadence. Navin frowned at the words as he examined them for any semblance of merit, but found none. He still didn’t know what his destiny was, but he… Continue Reading
When I slipped on the missing slipper and took my place by my prince’s side, I had no idea just how much I’d be wearing the things afterwards. Nobody ever told me a princess was on her feet so much… Continue Reading
There’s a certain staccato to late night city if you listen. An electric rhythm of buzzing streetlights, beeping reverse lights, dripping sewers and wailing sirens that build layers until a voice sings out; a cry for help. If I keep… Continue Reading
“Do not step over that threshold tonight,” her mother said. “When twilight descends, lock the door and bar it.” Gilda nodded. Her mother pressed an iron key into her hand. Gilda tucked it into the pocket of her apron, white… Continue Reading
“Laurel! How many times have I told you!” I swipe the locket off the table and bang open the bathroom door, yelling to be heard over the running shower. “You never take it off. Never!” “Just while I’m—” “Even in… Continue Reading
Dominion, standing next to the cold, ashen gravestone, was radiant. His dark eyes emanated peace beyond words. “I want to go back,” I said. I could hear the wind, snaking its way through the trees. “The outcome could worsen if… Continue Reading