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
SHE FELL from the sky, a daughter of the sun. She was many forms, how fiery. In Phoenicia, she wore a flame of feathers and lived as a phoenix. In Persia the thunderbird built a nest and burst into fire,… Continue Reading
Artur sat on the steps outside his shop, idly flicking stones down the empty street. Behind him, the windows of his shop were filled with unsold goods. Shirts, hats, cloaks and clothing of all sorts gathered dust. Around him, the… Continue Reading
The garden was devastated. Two tall, young faeries had been bickering, and it had turned physical: not pushes and punches, but flames and funnel clouds. Only the castle wall had withstood the elemental forces. “This is YOUR fault,” the blue-eyed… Continue Reading
Of the thousands rushing down Riwdin’s streets, I was the only one headed for the city center. I pressed close to shuddering walls and waited for lulls to ease forward. Necessity propelled me; I clung to patience. Dust from shattered… Continue Reading
For Mom and Dad. Thank you for reading to me. A Hundred Easy Lessons, and these have shaped me most. On my fifth birthday, Mom gave me an imagination. It was made up of dusty pages from old books, broadsword… Continue Reading
Cortrea circled the planet in her workshop, comparing the results to the blueprint. A piping voice interrupted her. “Mommy, look what I did!” “Not now, Rhei.” Cortrea frowned, deepening the east sea with a touch of her hand. She shooed… Continue Reading