Tenever grudgingly released the spell in his hand, but readied his wards all the same. They were complex, interlocking affairs with Byzantine safety procedures and a hellish rate of drain, but they were effective.

"Guys, this is Eraeon of the Firsts. Era…

I remember the grey light. I pulled her close to me in the aftermath of our lovemaking. It was then that I told her I was leaving, not yet knowing I was wrong. Our lives were not yet to diverge.

She cried.

Her face pressed against my shoulder, I felt he…

Beckton breathed out consciously as they approached the end of the bombe racks and risked a look back at Newkirk, who was twirling his wand restlessly. It described complex arcs of revolution and counter-revolution as it span, but gave no hint of the magi…

The Water Seller stood on the steps of the palace after every meal. Her arms itched, the sand dust like a second skin, caked on to keep her safe from the three suns' heat. She shifted from her right to left foot and dipped her rag back into the bowl.

Th…

I saw them, all of them.

I knew them.

I thought they knew me.

They were backing away. At about 2 meters, they turned their backs.

All of them.

They did not speak.

I asked them questions.

Why are you not hearing me?

What is going on?

They stepped farthe…

Malika barked a derisive laugh. "If by 'grounded' you mean, did it feel more real than the lesser deathless we cut down? Then yes. Yes, it did." She reached up and pointedly rubbed at her shoulder again, even though the ache was barely there. "I don't kno…

Story is marked as mature

The medics found Minla unconscious next to a shattered vase, a small pool of water and a bouquet of exotic-looking flowers. One of them, taking pity, picked up the flowers as they loaded her up into the ambulance.

The attending doctor took the toxicology…

Hi everyone I'm Azel, I decided to make a post at this random site for something to do and I hope it's fun here, maybe someone will read these and want to respond! That sounds like fun!

I'm away from home now, I don't know just where I am, and I wish I co…

"My tongue may be twisted but I'll tell you no lies

Surely that's plain from the look in my eyes?

You're not making a deal with the Devil himself

Take a look around, inspect every shelf!

There must be something that catches your fancy

Go on, don…

Out in the garden on a sunny day surrounded by flowers I sat. The aroma of roses and climbing clematis didn't blot out the smell of my own shampoo. The hum of bees busily gathering nectar an undertone to the bird song announcing their territories and call…

Hundreds of people slept peacefully in the vast, dark room. Long rows of them, side by side, covered by blankets that featured cartoons of money, of far off places, or boys and girls playing sports. Each person was plugged in to a rich cocktail of drugs c…

I wanted to say yes

to the invitation to dinner

to the offer of company

to the slanted smile in your eyebrows

.

I wanted to say yes

to your desire for my body

the hunger in your eyes

and the scorching seduction of your skin

.

but I keep saying no

I keep c…

The time of feasting had ended. I watched my father untie from the other floating homes around us. Joyfully, my sister waved her teddy bear's arm to all the neighbors, young and old, as they also untied and pulled their anchors up. My mother stowed the ro…

Ryle inclined his head, eyes flicking left.

Kill them, he was saying. I'll take the left.

I had no choice. We drew our revolvers and split up.

They entered the chapel from the great wooden doors. We waited until they were fully inside, the better t…

"I think I've reached my breaking point" he said, though nobody was there to listen save for a few dust bunnies under his bed.

He had been lying there for at least four hours just sort of staring at the ceiling of his motel room. It wasn't a grimy motel,…

I'm heading on a trip quite soon

My open suitcase nearly filled

I should be glad, I shall see friends,

And, honestly, I should be thrilled.

.

But something close to nightmares loom.

Such anxious visions crowd my dreams:

My bag's misplaced; I'm lost in g…

It's amazing how the seasons seem to cycle through my life.

For a moment there is comfort, and a second later, strife.

There is warmth, and then I'm frozen; rain is followed by a drought.

Briefly I contain my feelings, till they blow the ceiling out.

Fir…

He dips his finger into the smoke, and it clings to his flesh like tar, even as tatters billow up and swirl around his hand. He lifts his hand to his face once more, inhaling the smoke in one long stream. He leans back, head tilted upward, euphoria making…

We ran. It had been a narrow escape. The police drones were stopped by the casino doors and the security cameras didn't cover the alleys well. Two buildings over we climbed the fire escape to watch the cruisers scream and screech to a halt, too late to ca…

“How is this possible?” Marcela asked, her hand gripping the bare skin of the opposite shoulder and rubbing for warmth.

Here inside the house, it wasn't just cold, it was freezing. Every piece of furniture gleamed as sunlight from the open door ricochete…

They called it The Game. Every month a new round began, drawing thousands of competitors. Most were insane, or simply suicidal. Its ten deadly traps, called Levels, had claimed their millionth victim just last month. The billion-dollar prize was seductive…

My face must have said more than my silence because she added quickly, “It's not a church or anything crazy like that. I might be a little old fashioned but I know right from right. It's more of a social. We meet at the Autumn Garden Theatre. You know the…

Oh god. I hope it's not me they're talking to. If they think I got cut by one of the Ferals, then I'm sunk. They'll kill me on the spot if they have any common sense.

"It's just a scratch, Bel." I hear a woman's shaky response and then before I realize i…

The alley wasn't completely dark behind the Chinese Restaurant where a brick wall faced me. Rudy.

I began the translation program.

"Hello, Rudy."

"Bonsoir, Elsha"

"Please let me in. S'il vous plaît laissez-moi entrer."

"Mot de passe?"

"I don't have a pa…