Chadstone could only stare in horror as the Others melted into the shadows, their laughter trailing after them. A moment later, magical ricochet lashed the edges of his world, and he had to clutch the edges of the scrying bowl to stop the precious water - and the vision with it - from spilling across the floor.
Minka screamed as she was dragged into the darkness by eager hands gnarled and twisted with evil and age.
Dakshana shrieked and fought fiercely as the trees came alive, vines snaking out to take her. The Others laughed, gleeful in victory. Chadstone wanted to weep.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Just You
But Dakshana had known, somewhere in the back of her mind, always known. The night Ashoken vanished, he’d been seeking magic. But he’d failed - and she’d survived the ritual.
These creatures must have taken him and given her the magic instead.
And now they wanted payment.
“I don’t have anything you want,” she said.
That drew laughter, the sound skating across Dakshana’s skin like the softest fur.
“Every human has something that every shadow wants,” the voice said, and those eyes glittered with something deeper and crueller than amusement.
“You won’t get it from us,” Dakshana said.
“Just you, child.”
These creatures must have taken him and given her the magic instead.
And now they wanted payment.
“I don’t have anything you want,” she said.
That drew laughter, the sound skating across Dakshana’s skin like the softest fur.
“Every human has something that every shadow wants,” the voice said, and those eyes glittered with something deeper and crueller than amusement.
“You won’t get it from us,” Dakshana said.
“Just you, child.”
Exchange
Chadstone felt magic swirl dangerously around the scrying bowl, and he turned. Behind him, the portal glimmered to life, but this he had to see - what were the Others doing? Something else was going on, something he hadn’t planned and didn’t understand.
Dakshana and Minka stood back to back, staring at the hundreds and thousands of pairs of eyes that glittered in the shadows like unholy fallen stars.
“You do have magic, beautiful child, for we gave you magic - in exchange for saving your life,” the Ancient said.
Dakshana shook her head. “No - I have no magic! You’re a liar!”
Dakshana and Minka stood back to back, staring at the hundreds and thousands of pairs of eyes that glittered in the shadows like unholy fallen stars.
“You do have magic, beautiful child, for we gave you magic - in exchange for saving your life,” the Ancient said.
Dakshana shook her head. “No - I have no magic! You’re a liar!”
Game for All
“Watch? Why?” Dakshana asked. Maybe she could distract the thing and buy some time for herself and Minka. Could they escape? Fight?
“You mortals are so...entertaining,” the voice said. “So innocent and weak, and yet so spirited - you fight even when it’s futile, and you squirm so prettily.”
Dakshana swallowed the bile that had risen in her throat.
“I thought this game was Chadstone’s - and you’re not Chadstone,” Minka said.
“I am just like him. I am a Shadow, same as he - but I am older. Wiser. And stronger.”
“This is a game to all of you?” Dakshana demanded.
“You mortals are so...entertaining,” the voice said. “So innocent and weak, and yet so spirited - you fight even when it’s futile, and you squirm so prettily.”
Dakshana swallowed the bile that had risen in her throat.
“I thought this game was Chadstone’s - and you’re not Chadstone,” Minka said.
“I am just like him. I am a Shadow, same as he - but I am older. Wiser. And stronger.”
“This is a game to all of you?” Dakshana demanded.
Edge of Your Light
Fury sparked in Chadstone’s veins. He was on his feet and across his chamber, slashing his fingertips to scrawl runes across the wall. But the portal never opened. Chadstone snarled and slammed his fist against the stone wall - one of the Others must have put a binding rune on the edge of his plane.
Chadstone reached up and wrenched his name-charm up over his head and began carving an ink supply up the inside of one arm.
Voices floated from the scrying bowl, taunting him.
“We are the shadows who linger at the edges of your light - and watch.”
Chadstone reached up and wrenched his name-charm up over his head and began carving an ink supply up the inside of one arm.
Voices floated from the scrying bowl, taunting him.
“We are the shadows who linger at the edges of your light - and watch.”
Everything and Much More
“Oh, but you do, you sweet morsel of a mortal.”
The voice was beautiful, musical, like the deepest wind chimes carved of bone.
Dakshana spun around, bringing her fists up to strike. But there was no one there. Just eyes. A single pair of eyes, golden and bright like the eyes of the giant black cats that roamed the forests. Dakshana wondered if the face that belonged to the eyes was feline or human, hideous - or beautiful.
Just like Chadstone.
“What are you?” Minka demanded.
Laughter like song. “I am everything your mother told you I was - and much more.”
The voice was beautiful, musical, like the deepest wind chimes carved of bone.
Dakshana spun around, bringing her fists up to strike. But there was no one there. Just eyes. A single pair of eyes, golden and bright like the eyes of the giant black cats that roamed the forests. Dakshana wondered if the face that belonged to the eyes was feline or human, hideous - or beautiful.
Just like Chadstone.
“What are you?” Minka demanded.
Laughter like song. “I am everything your mother told you I was - and much more.”
Rebuilding
“Always said what?” Dakshana demanded.
Chadstone felt a smile curve his lips. As much as these games forced people to confront themselves and left him with the raw, unpolished soul, they forced people to confront each other as well. Once the friendship was completely torn apart, his prize would be waiting, vulnerable and open to any affection he might offer.
The rebuilding was about to begin.
“My mother always said you had magic,” Minka said. Her voice was small, timid. “Your parents had magic too, and it was why - why the shamans were afraid of you.”
“I don’t have magic.”
Chadstone felt a smile curve his lips. As much as these games forced people to confront themselves and left him with the raw, unpolished soul, they forced people to confront each other as well. Once the friendship was completely torn apart, his prize would be waiting, vulnerable and open to any affection he might offer.
The rebuilding was about to begin.
“My mother always said you had magic,” Minka said. Her voice was small, timid. “Your parents had magic too, and it was why - why the shamans were afraid of you.”
“I don’t have magic.”
Mother Said
Dakshana felt her pulse speed up.
Minka said, “You have magic. Don’t you? Before, in the hallway - with the magical fire. That was you, right?”
Dakshana shook her head quickly and began walking faster. “No - I have no magic. I’m ordinary, the same as you and Srina. Less than you and Srina, really, since I have no marketable skill that makes me a good wife.”
“Oh,” Minka said in a small voice. She lowered her gaze, and Dakshana felt suspicion flash through her.
“What makes you think I have magic?”
Minka sucked in a deep breath. “My mother always said --”
Minka said, “You have magic. Don’t you? Before, in the hallway - with the magical fire. That was you, right?”
Dakshana shook her head quickly and began walking faster. “No - I have no magic. I’m ordinary, the same as you and Srina. Less than you and Srina, really, since I have no marketable skill that makes me a good wife.”
“Oh,” Minka said in a small voice. She lowered her gaze, and Dakshana felt suspicion flash through her.
“What makes you think I have magic?”
Minka sucked in a deep breath. “My mother always said --”
What Magic?
Chadstone was absurdly pleased to see Dakshana see through the first, and most powerful stage of this chapter of the illusion.
Dakshana caught Minka’s hand - and Chadstone had to suppress a flash of jealousy - and began to march straight through the trees. Her expression was battle-fierce, and for a moment Chadstone could imagine her shining, in armor, wielding a sword and carrying a shield and cutting down men too dazzled by her beauty to defend themselves.
“Where can we hide?” Minka asked.
“It’s no good climbing any of trees,” Dakshana said.
“What about your magic?” Minka asked.
“What magic?”
Dakshana caught Minka’s hand - and Chadstone had to suppress a flash of jealousy - and began to march straight through the trees. Her expression was battle-fierce, and for a moment Chadstone could imagine her shining, in armor, wielding a sword and carrying a shield and cutting down men too dazzled by her beauty to defend themselves.
“Where can we hide?” Minka asked.
“It’s no good climbing any of trees,” Dakshana said.
“What about your magic?” Minka asked.
“What magic?”
Third Chamber: Nightmare Forest
Minka curled her fingers through Dakshana’s, and Dakshana gave her hand a squeeze. She had to close her eyes and bite her lip to keep from screaming when the magic flared. When she opened her eyes, she was back in the forest - she was free. Her first instinct was to turn and head for the village, but when she turned, the sky was - wrong. The sunset filtering through the trees slanted in the wrong direction, and she couldn’t see the village hill.
Minka’s eyes lit up. “Dakshana, we’re free! We broke the spell --”
“No. Your nightmare was in the forest.”
Minka’s eyes lit up. “Dakshana, we’re free! We broke the spell --”
“No. Your nightmare was in the forest.”
Down to the Last Detail
Chadstone leaned forward and rested his chin on his hand, staring into the depths of the scrying pool. As much as he sometimes yearned with every shard of his being to be human, he was Shadow enough to enjoy the beauty of his own game.
The girls shivered as the illusion of the Place of Names wavered, vanished, reformed - into a forest. The same forest Dakshana had played in as a child, had danced through for the midsummer festival. It was perfect down to the last detail - a fallen leaf, a gnarled branch.
And the eyes, glittering in the branches.
The girls shivered as the illusion of the Place of Names wavered, vanished, reformed - into a forest. The same forest Dakshana had played in as a child, had danced through for the midsummer festival. It was perfect down to the last detail - a fallen leaf, a gnarled branch.
And the eyes, glittering in the branches.
Vanish
Dakshana took a deep breath. It didn’t seem like much of a nightmare, but given how the magic in this place worked, it could easily become something deadly.
“Did your mother say what the eyes do?” Or who they belong to?
Minka shook her head. “No. She just said that I shouldn’t let them see me.”
“What happens if they do see you?”
“You vanish.”
Like Dakshana, Minka, and Srina had vanished into Chadstone’s ice-and-stone world. Dakshana squared her shoulders and lifted her chin.
“We’ll fight if they see us,” she said. She reached out. “Take my hand.”
“Did your mother say what the eyes do?” Or who they belong to?
Minka shook her head. “No. She just said that I shouldn’t let them see me.”
“What happens if they do see you?”
“You vanish.”
Like Dakshana, Minka, and Srina had vanished into Chadstone’s ice-and-stone world. Dakshana squared her shoulders and lifted her chin.
“We’ll fight if they see us,” she said. She reached out. “Take my hand.”
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Instinct, Well-founded
Chadstone felt the corner of his mouth curl up in a mirthless smile. The things mortals knew but refused to admit to themselves - there were eyes in the shadows, watching the mortals, but they watched all the time. Mortals only sensed the presence of the shadow-born when they were alone. Minka’s deep-seeded fear, passed on from her mother but borne to fruition with instinct, was well-founded. Mortals were too right to fear the eyes in the shadows, because those eyes belonged to the Ancients, and every moment the Ancients weren’t watching, they were planning.
Planning someone’s demise.
Planning someone’s demise.
Eyes in the Shadows
Minka swallowed hard. Dakshana glanced at her and hoped that she’d been right in saving Srina, that Minka would be able to keep a level head in the coming challenge.
“Tell me,” she said softly, “and we can defeat it together.”
“You know how my mother always said to never go into the forest alone at night?”
Dakshana nodded even though she’d never heard Minka’s mother say a thing, never had her own mother there to offer such a warning, but being anywhere alone at night was - exhilarating. To Dakshana. Unless --
“It’s because eyes. In the shadows. Can see you.”
“Tell me,” she said softly, “and we can defeat it together.”
“You know how my mother always said to never go into the forest alone at night?”
Dakshana nodded even though she’d never heard Minka’s mother say a thing, never had her own mother there to offer such a warning, but being anywhere alone at night was - exhilarating. To Dakshana. Unless --
“It’s because eyes. In the shadows. Can see you.”
Flesh and Stone
Chadstone emerged in the one small space he could call his own, a weaving between worlds, a dimension that gave him a certain illusion of freedom from the Ancients. He knew he was never truly free from them, that they were watching him as well as the girls with a scrying spell. Alone, in this chamber, he could almost pretend he wasn’t - he could pretend he was human.
That he was flesh and blood, he’d been born with a soul instead of carved into being in a slab of stone, and he was himself instead of a rune-carved shard.
That he was flesh and blood, he’d been born with a soul instead of carved into being in a slab of stone, and he was himself instead of a rune-carved shard.
Dancing In Her Mind
“I think it’s one of mine,” Minka said. “We didn’t really defeat my last one, did we? We just sort of --”
“What is it?” Dakshana refused to talk about her own stupidity.
“The place of names was my worst nightmare as a child,” Minka said. “So...my next worst nightmare is --” She swallowed hard.
The ice-blue lights flickered. Dakshana flinched and stepped closer to Minka.
“Tell me what it is and I’ll figure out how to defeat it.” She could see them, dancing in her mind - the symbols painted on the wall in the place of names. Runes. Magic.
“What is it?” Dakshana refused to talk about her own stupidity.
“The place of names was my worst nightmare as a child,” Minka said. “So...my next worst nightmare is --” She swallowed hard.
The ice-blue lights flickered. Dakshana flinched and stepped closer to Minka.
“Tell me what it is and I’ll figure out how to defeat it.” She could see them, dancing in her mind - the symbols painted on the wall in the place of names. Runes. Magic.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Chilling Immortal Truth
Chadstone watched them enter the third chamber, the new phase for a nightmare, and reflected on the chilling, immortal truth of the girl’s words. She had no idea the knowledge she possessed, the danger in words and names. He reached up, curled a fist around his name stone, and wished, for a single moment, that the word had never been uttered.
Chadstone.
Youngest of the shadows.
What a game he played, what a web he wove, what strings he danced on for the other shadows’ entertainment. He set his jaw grimly and faded back through outer layers of the spell.
Chadstone.
Youngest of the shadows.
What a game he played, what a web he wove, what strings he danced on for the other shadows’ entertainment. He set his jaw grimly and faded back through outer layers of the spell.
What's Your Nightmare?
Dakshana and Minka watched Chadstone vanish again.
“He’s right,” Dakshana said grimly. “We should carry on and be glad we never fully knew your nightmare.”
“What power there must be in words, that the destruction of a word’s image can bring a soul’s death,” Minka said. She held out her hand. “You all right?”
Dakshana pressed a hand to her mouth and felt the ghost of a kiss. “I’m fine. Let’s keep moving. We’ll make it to the center - he can’t keep us.”
As the words passed her lips, the stone hallway melted away.
Dakshana said, “Whose nightmare is next?”
“He’s right,” Dakshana said grimly. “We should carry on and be glad we never fully knew your nightmare.”
“What power there must be in words, that the destruction of a word’s image can bring a soul’s death,” Minka said. She held out her hand. “You all right?”
Dakshana pressed a hand to her mouth and felt the ghost of a kiss. “I’m fine. Let’s keep moving. We’ll make it to the center - he can’t keep us.”
As the words passed her lips, the stone hallway melted away.
Dakshana said, “Whose nightmare is next?”
But Keep You
Chadstone set his jaw tightly. Minka didn’t know how right she was. But he lifted his chin, eyes lit with challenge, and said, “I imagine it won’t be so difficult to steal her second kiss, will it?”
Dakshana leapt at him.
He side-stepped neatly, winced when she stumbled into the wall on the other side of the hallway.
“That won’t help,” he said. “You’ve made it through two nightmares. I guarantee there are more before you reach the center. If you cannot survive the rest, you’ll never reach the door, and then what can I do but keep you?”
Dakshana leapt at him.
He side-stepped neatly, winced when she stumbled into the wall on the other side of the hallway.
“That won’t help,” he said. “You’ve made it through two nightmares. I guarantee there are more before you reach the center. If you cannot survive the rest, you’ll never reach the door, and then what can I do but keep you?”
Arrogance and Elegance
“Asked? Is that what you call it? You didn’t ask me, you tricked me!”
Minka curled an arm around her shoulders protectively, and that was all that kept Dakshana from lunging at Chadstone and attempting to claw his throat out.
His smile was arrogant and elegant. “Why are you so surprised about that? It’s not as if I lured you into my world through my excellent powers of persuasion.” Then his voice dropped, became low and husky and sent shudders down Dakshana’s spine. “Not that my powers of persuasion aren’t...formidable.”
“You stole her first kiss!” Minka cried. “You monster!”
Minka curled an arm around her shoulders protectively, and that was all that kept Dakshana from lunging at Chadstone and attempting to claw his throat out.
His smile was arrogant and elegant. “Why are you so surprised about that? It’s not as if I lured you into my world through my excellent powers of persuasion.” Then his voice dropped, became low and husky and sent shudders down Dakshana’s spine. “Not that my powers of persuasion aren’t...formidable.”
“You stole her first kiss!” Minka cried. “You monster!”
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Promise Complete
Chadstone allowed himself to coalesce into being, because he had to see the reaction in person. He leaned against the wall, against the cheap facsimile of living name-runes created by the illusion spell, and smiled for the two girls to see. Everything he was lay behind that smile, the ruthlessness, avarice, capriciousness, and shadow that made him what he was.
“It only cost her the keeping of a promise,” he said.
Minka’s eyes narrowed. “She made no promise with you.”
“Her promise was complete as soon as she did what I asked,” he said.
Fury burned in Dakshana’s eyes.
“It only cost her the keeping of a promise,” he said.
Minka’s eyes narrowed. “She made no promise with you.”
“Her promise was complete as soon as she did what I asked,” he said.
Fury burned in Dakshana’s eyes.
Magic Tells
Dakshana backed up, tossing her head wildly. She knew she was standing on the stone floor of the mountain hall, but she was also standing on - coolness. Water. On truth. She could feel it thrumming in her veins like magic, and maybe it was the magic telling her, but what she was seeing was real.
Srina was alive.
Minka knelt, pressed a hand to the coolness. “She’s safe. She really escaped, didn’t she?”
Dakshana nodded.
Minka’s head came up sharply; Dakshana saw the knowing in her eyes before there was a chance to deny it.
“What did that cost you?”
Srina was alive.
Minka knelt, pressed a hand to the coolness. “She’s safe. She really escaped, didn’t she?”
Dakshana nodded.
Minka’s head came up sharply; Dakshana saw the knowing in her eyes before there was a chance to deny it.
“What did that cost you?”
Last Bastion
The image was wavering but smooth, cool, as if Dakshana stood on the surface of a serene lake. Chadstone allowed himself a faint smile at the awe that settled over her features, because that was precisely what she was standing on, a larger version of a scrying bowl. The magic, though it would sting her, would tell the truth, that what she saw was real. What she saw was Srina, lying on the ground in that cave, the last bastion of the mortal realm on which the girls had stood. Then Srina was awake and running toward trees, toward home.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Man Unmade
“You liar!” Dakshana felt power thrum in her body, up through her fingertips, and she knew that if she could read runes, if she’d learned them, she’d have unmade Chadstone with her bare hands. “You killed her!”
His voice, low and musical, echoed around them, as if were everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Minka’s face streamed with tears, but she looked angry, just as angry as Dakshana.
“She’s very much alive. See for yourself.”
Dakshana shook her head. For all she knew, it was a lie. But she cried out when the floor vanished, and she saw...Srina.
His voice, low and musical, echoed around them, as if were everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Minka’s face streamed with tears, but she looked angry, just as angry as Dakshana.
“She’s very much alive. See for yourself.”
Dakshana shook her head. For all she knew, it was a lie. But she cried out when the floor vanished, and she saw...Srina.
Game Design
Chadstone wouldn’t have expected such a reaction out of Minka, for she’d seemed cool and level-headed. He smirked to himself. His game was designed to bring out the worst in people, to make the strong weak and make the weak arrogant. Only one would survive to the end, and if she’d made it through his refiner’s fire intact, she would live at his side forever.
“She’s gone! They took her! Her name is gone!”
Minka gestured wildly. When Dakshana stepped back, she studied the wall, studied the pulsing runes in sickly white, and she spun around. Screamed in fury.
“She’s gone! They took her! Her name is gone!”
Minka gestured wildly. When Dakshana stepped back, she studied the wall, studied the pulsing runes in sickly white, and she spun around. Screamed in fury.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Srina Gone
Dakshana came to when she hit the ground. Someone screamed her name. Minka. Had Dakshana died? No. She shuddered and wrapped her arms around herself, let MInka bring her to her feet. That wasn’t death lingering at the edges of her being, but magic, potent magic, old and strong and much, much worse than anything Ashoken had ever done in her dreams.
“What happened?” Minka asked. “One moment I was dying, the next --” She spun away from Dakshana, causing her to lurch against the wall for support.
The wall thrummed beneath her, alive with power, and she recoiled.
Minka screamed.
“What happened?” Minka asked. “One moment I was dying, the next --” She spun away from Dakshana, causing her to lurch against the wall for support.
The wall thrummed beneath her, alive with power, and she recoiled.
Minka screamed.
Dripping Shadows
Chadstone glanced up and caught Dakshana’s gaze. She glared for a moment before stubbornly looking away. That was precisely what he needed. He reached up to the necklace at his throat, at the shard of crystal carved with Living Runes, and loosened the cord. It was long enough he could use it now, and after a glance to make sure Dakshana was still looking away, he stabbed the shard downward. Blue-black liquid, like dripping shadows, welled at his fingertip, and he drew with the liquid before his healing kicked in.
The circle thrummed to life. Dakshana fainted. Srina vanished.
The circle thrummed to life. Dakshana fainted. Srina vanished.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Seeming Human
Dakshana scrubbed a hand across the back of her mouth. What had she done? She’d let him kiss her, let him touch her. And kiss her he had. Dakshana closed her eyes and swallowed hard. When he’d kissed her, for one moment, he had seemed - human. But then she opened her eyes and saw his insufferable smirk and she wanted to slap him again.
“Srina. Let Srina go,” she said.
Chadstone smiled and then knelt. He drew on the ground, the motions ponderous, graceful. Dakshana felt the thrum build in her veins and knew the magic.
“So Srina shall go.”
“Srina. Let Srina go,” she said.
Chadstone smiled and then knelt. He drew on the ground, the motions ponderous, graceful. Dakshana felt the thrum build in her veins and knew the magic.
“So Srina shall go.”
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Indestructible, Brittle
Chadstone pressed closer, desperate for her warmth. He wanted to feel her heartbeat, to revel in her living, breathing, being - and he came up short. Something pained him, pressed against his chest, cold and hard and --
The stone. The single shard of crystal carved with runes.
His name.
His existence.
The moment shattered.
Dakshana jerked back. Her golden eyes were wide with shock and fear - and anger. She brought a hand across his face, loud, the sound percussive with force, and he let her.
“How dare you!”
He stepped back, smirked, and felt indestructible and brittle. “Who will you save?”
The stone. The single shard of crystal carved with runes.
His name.
His existence.
The moment shattered.
Dakshana jerked back. Her golden eyes were wide with shock and fear - and anger. She brought a hand across his face, loud, the sound percussive with force, and he let her.
“How dare you!”
He stepped back, smirked, and felt indestructible and brittle. “Who will you save?”
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Surrender
Dakshana’s eyes slipped closed, and she felt a tug in her chest, a tightening that seemed to drag her forward. An arm slipped around her waist, light, gentle, as if afraid of hurting her, and she realized, He could hurt me - he’s not human, he’s stronger than me. But the fingers sliding through her hair were tentative, almost frightened, as if she would vanish at the slightest touch.
And something told her she should vanish, she should pull back and run, but then lips met hers, cool and soft and oh so gentle, and she surrendered herself to the shadows.
And something told her she should vanish, she should pull back and run, but then lips met hers, cool and soft and oh so gentle, and she surrendered herself to the shadows.
Monday, December 1, 2008
All That Mattered
Cold fire and starlight flared in his chest. This was it, this was acquiescence. It wasn’t success, not by a long shot, but it would be a sweet reward for so well-planned a spell.
Her eyes fluttered closed, eyelashes forming a black crescent against her cheek, and she shifted closer. The warmth of her was a quiet thrill as she fell into his arms. He lowered his head, one arm around her waist to keep her steady.
When they kissed, time stood still.
The world around them was frozen, but the world didn’t matter - they were all that mattered.
Her eyes fluttered closed, eyelashes forming a black crescent against her cheek, and she shifted closer. The warmth of her was a quiet thrill as she fell into his arms. He lowered his head, one arm around her waist to keep her steady.
When they kissed, time stood still.
The world around them was frozen, but the world didn’t matter - they were all that mattered.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Let Me
Something in Dakshana’s chest stirred. She was entranced by the sight of him, couldn’t move, a bird hypnotized by a snake.
Then she stared down at her wrist. “I thought you couldn’t touch me,” she said.
“You let me touch you,” he said.
“No I didn’t.” But her head was spinning, and she was dazed by how close he was, the way she could feel his cool breath against her skin.
“Yes, you did,” he said, and lifted a hand to caress her cheek. She leaned into the touch automatically and felt his fingertips brush, feather-light, over her skin.
Then she stared down at her wrist. “I thought you couldn’t touch me,” she said.
“You let me touch you,” he said.
“No I didn’t.” But her head was spinning, and she was dazed by how close he was, the way she could feel his cool breath against her skin.
“Yes, you did,” he said, and lifted a hand to caress her cheek. She leaned into the touch automatically and felt his fingertips brush, feather-light, over her skin.
Never Know
Dakshana tried to wrench her hand out of his grip, but his hold on her was utterly implacable.
“What do you think I could possibly give you?”
His blue eyes gleamed like the core of a flame. “You know what I want.” He tilted his head to the side, like a quizzical bird - or a boy leaning in for a kiss.
“No. I won’t betray my friends --”
He gestured. “They’ll never know.”
She turned, and something akin to horror crossed her face when she saw her friends frozen in time.
He stepped closer, and the heat of her consumed him.
“What do you think I could possibly give you?”
His blue eyes gleamed like the core of a flame. “You know what I want.” He tilted his head to the side, like a quizzical bird - or a boy leaning in for a kiss.
“No. I won’t betray my friends --”
He gestured. “They’ll never know.”
She turned, and something akin to horror crossed her face when she saw her friends frozen in time.
He stepped closer, and the heat of her consumed him.
Friday, November 28, 2008
What's In a Name
Dakshana dropped to her knees beside her friend. Minka gasped, clutched at her chest - at her heart. Like she couldn’t breathe.
Dakshana cast a wild look at the walls. A single swirl of pale paint had gone still, pulsing. Minka’s name. Dakshana scooped up a rock and dashed it against the paint. Chips of rock flew. Srina cried out in alarm.
“She’s dying!”
Dakshana struck again - she had to free her friend’s name, save her. She drew back for a third strike, and a hand came out of the wall. Closed over her wrist.
Chadstone said, “You can save her.”
Dakshana cast a wild look at the walls. A single swirl of pale paint had gone still, pulsing. Minka’s name. Dakshana scooped up a rock and dashed it against the paint. Chips of rock flew. Srina cried out in alarm.
“She’s dying!”
Dakshana struck again - she had to free her friend’s name, save her. She drew back for a third strike, and a hand came out of the wall. Closed over her wrist.
Chadstone said, “You can save her.”
Horrors of Human Imagination
Cold fury crossed Chadstone’s face, but he was the youngest and powerless against whatever the Ancients might choose to inflict on him.
“Stay out of my way and out of my game,” he snarled, spun away, and vanished.
He reappeared outside the walls of the second chamber of the maze and watched, eyes narrowed, as the girls fled. He could control the entire flow of the spell if he chose, but he wanted to see what horrors humans would inflict upon themselves with their own imaginations.
“What now?” Srina cried.
Minka paused, staggered. Her hand went to her chest.
“Minka!”
“Stay out of my way and out of my game,” he snarled, spun away, and vanished.
He reappeared outside the walls of the second chamber of the maze and watched, eyes narrowed, as the girls fled. He could control the entire flow of the spell if he chose, but he wanted to see what horrors humans would inflict upon themselves with their own imaginations.
“What now?” Srina cried.
Minka paused, staggered. Her hand went to her chest.
“Minka!”
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Real Childhood
“Do they have all of our names?” Srina asked.
Minka cast a glance at the wall of gleaming paint swirls and tossed her head wildly. “I don’t know! I don’t --”
“Since this is your nightmare, they probably only have your name,” Dakshana said.
The tunnel went on forever, straight, unbending, with no end in sight.
“It’s not a nightmare,” Minka said. “It was just a story Mother told me. A scary story.”
Dakshana cast her a look. “Then why are we running?”
“Because as I child I believed it would come true, and this place turns our childhood into reality.”
Minka cast a glance at the wall of gleaming paint swirls and tossed her head wildly. “I don’t know! I don’t --”
“Since this is your nightmare, they probably only have your name,” Dakshana said.
The tunnel went on forever, straight, unbending, with no end in sight.
“It’s not a nightmare,” Minka said. “It was just a story Mother told me. A scary story.”
Dakshana cast her a look. “Then why are we running?”
“Because as I child I believed it would come true, and this place turns our childhood into reality.”
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Masterworks and Masterpieces
“What business have you in tinkering with my game?” Chadstone demanded.
His words were met with soft, sibilant laughter, like warm smoke curling up from a dying fire.
“Your game?” an Ancient asked.
“The Game is sacred - it is one of the Unwritten Rules,” Chadstone said.
“It is indeed - and we are not tinkering with your game,” another Ancient said. “We are merely - observing the masterpiece of our youngest. And my, what a masterpiece it is.”
And then Chadstone noticed it, the flash of movement on the surface of the water. Dakshana and the girls, running from the second spell.
His words were met with soft, sibilant laughter, like warm smoke curling up from a dying fire.
“Your game?” an Ancient asked.
“The Game is sacred - it is one of the Unwritten Rules,” Chadstone said.
“It is indeed - and we are not tinkering with your game,” another Ancient said. “We are merely - observing the masterpiece of our youngest. And my, what a masterpiece it is.”
And then Chadstone noticed it, the flash of movement on the surface of the water. Dakshana and the girls, running from the second spell.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Chasing
“Why are we running?” Srina asked. For all that she whined, she could run fast, and Dakshana was glad she could keep up. Her mind raced as she tried to remember more runes, any other magic that might help.
“Because of the Name-Takers!” Minka called over her shoulder.
“What do they do?” Srina asked.
“They take our names - and our souls!”
Dakshana glanced at the wall beside her, and it was alive. The names - and she didn’t understand how one could paint a name, for a name was a sound, not a picture - were writhing, sliding - chasing them.
Chasing.
“Because of the Name-Takers!” Minka called over her shoulder.
“What do they do?” Srina asked.
“They take our names - and our souls!”
Dakshana glanced at the wall beside her, and it was alive. The names - and she didn’t understand how one could paint a name, for a name was a sound, not a picture - were writhing, sliding - chasing them.
Chasing.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Ancient Eyes
The Ancients lingered in a jagged circle around the World Pool, the dead, dark waters at the bottom of The Well, gazing into the water with eager, hungry eyes.
Chadstone was glad he could only see their eyes. Their eyes were every color of the elements, as beautiful and agonizing as his own. Their faces had once been as fair - fairer, even - as his, but time and the game had turned them to their true, final forms. Chadstone did not relish the thought of living in shadow as they did, but he could not resist the pull of the game.
Chadstone was glad he could only see their eyes. Their eyes were every color of the elements, as beautiful and agonizing as his own. Their faces had once been as fair - fairer, even - as his, but time and the game had turned them to their true, final forms. Chadstone did not relish the thought of living in shadow as they did, but he could not resist the pull of the game.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Place of Names
Dakshana noticed the white symbols painted on the stone walls became more and more frequent the further they got.
“Do you know what those mean?” she asked.
“What does what mean?” Srina paused and turned.
Minka went very still.
Dakshana placed a hand on her arm, alarmed. “What’s wrong?”
Minka’s voice shook. “Did your mother ever tell you about the place of names?”
“No.” Dakshana’s mother hadn’t told her much of anything that she could remember.
“Everyone’s name is painted on a wall deep below the earth where the magic creatures live,” Minka said. “And --”
“And what?”
“We should run.”
“Do you know what those mean?” she asked.
“What does what mean?” Srina paused and turned.
Minka went very still.
Dakshana placed a hand on her arm, alarmed. “What’s wrong?”
Minka’s voice shook. “Did your mother ever tell you about the place of names?”
“No.” Dakshana’s mother hadn’t told her much of anything that she could remember.
“Everyone’s name is painted on a wall deep below the earth where the magic creatures live,” Minka said. “And --”
“And what?”
“We should run.”
Friday, November 21, 2008
Malingerers
Chadstone was fraught with indecision. Follow the Ancients and demand to know what they were doing to his game, or keep an eye on the girls? The Ancients were up to something, and he refused to let them malinger on the threads of his delicately-woven web. Chadstone closed his eyes, invoked a rune, felt his mortal form dissolve and reform as shadows. Then he set off.
As an afterthought, he cupped his palm and whispered a rune so water pooled on his shadow-cool flesh, another rune so he could see the girls.
Time for good old-fashioned confrontation.
As an afterthought, he cupped his palm and whispered a rune so water pooled on his shadow-cool flesh, another rune so he could see the girls.
Time for good old-fashioned confrontation.
Bliss
“What now?” Srina asked.
Minka and Srina exchanged glances. The stone hallway stretched out before them.
“It’s probably best we go forward,” Dakshana said. The girls set off. Dakshana kept her hands curled at her side. She couldn’t believe herself - she’d wielded rune magic, the magic that had hurt her as a child.
The magic that shamans had used to kill her parents.
Just now, however, it had felt - different. It hadn’t felt bad at all. It had felt like the first ray of warm sun after winter, the full moon on a winter night.
It had felt like bliss.
Minka and Srina exchanged glances. The stone hallway stretched out before them.
“It’s probably best we go forward,” Dakshana said. The girls set off. Dakshana kept her hands curled at her side. She couldn’t believe herself - she’d wielded rune magic, the magic that had hurt her as a child.
The magic that shamans had used to kill her parents.
Just now, however, it had felt - different. It hadn’t felt bad at all. It had felt like the first ray of warm sun after winter, the full moon on a winter night.
It had felt like bliss.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Giving Gifts
This twist was beyond his control. Chadstone stared at the backs of the Ancients as they fled - as much as their old bones could flee from a mortal girl who’d flung rune fire at them. Firelight the shadows could withstand. Actual light - sunlight - was death to a shadow.
That Dakshana could wield rune magic made her far more dangerous an opponent than a Seer, and Chadstone knew that something was off. He’d met her as a child, and the power to See came later in life. Rune magic was inherent, unless it was gifted, and shadows did not give gifts.
That Dakshana could wield rune magic made her far more dangerous an opponent than a Seer, and Chadstone knew that something was off. He’d met her as a child, and the power to See came later in life. Rune magic was inherent, unless it was gifted, and shadows did not give gifts.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Interesting
Dakshana threw.
Fire exploded against the stone floor, sent shadows skittering across the walls. The eyes shuffled with them, and Dakshana heard, with the moving eyes and shadows, a curious rattle.
Bones. As if piles and piles of ancient bones were moving all at once.
Srina ducked behind Minka, who had her fists up, ready to punch the darkness.
Angry shrieks subsided into laughter again, heartbreakingly beautiful laughter.
“What was that?” Minka asked.
“I don’t know,” Dakshana said, but she knew what she’d done. Magic.
The eyes drifted away, and a voice floated back to the girls.
It said, “Interesting.”
Fire exploded against the stone floor, sent shadows skittering across the walls. The eyes shuffled with them, and Dakshana heard, with the moving eyes and shadows, a curious rattle.
Bones. As if piles and piles of ancient bones were moving all at once.
Srina ducked behind Minka, who had her fists up, ready to punch the darkness.
Angry shrieks subsided into laughter again, heartbreakingly beautiful laughter.
“What was that?” Minka asked.
“I don’t know,” Dakshana said, but she knew what she’d done. Magic.
The eyes drifted away, and a voice floated back to the girls.
It said, “Interesting.”
Obtenebration
Chadstone felt them before he saw them, and icy rage coiled in his chest. He started to dismantle the illusory walls to break into the maze, but a tendril of shadow curled around his wrist, halted him. The Ancients were interfering with his game.
“How dare you!” he shouted, and darkness dripped off his words.
The Ancients’ laughter in reply was a musical fall of midnight stars.
“We’re passing through, Cub. But this is a most excellent game.”
Chadstone felt the shadows under his skin roil, desperate to break free. And then rune magic - powerful, alien - exploded in the maze.
“How dare you!” he shouted, and darkness dripped off his words.
The Ancients’ laughter in reply was a musical fall of midnight stars.
“We’re passing through, Cub. But this is a most excellent game.”
Chadstone felt the shadows under his skin roil, desperate to break free. And then rune magic - powerful, alien - exploded in the maze.
Second Chamber: Hall of the Mountain King
The second chamber was hollowed out of a mountain. Dakshana shivered. She hated the utter absence of sunlight.
"You all right?" Srina asked.
"Fine," Dakshana said. "And you?"
Minka nodded.
Srina clung to her. "I'm afraid. I don't like this place."
"Who does?" Minka muttered.
"Probably them." Dakshana stared at the eyes gazing from the shadows. She heard laughter and shuddered.
Srina screamed.
The eyes drifted closer, and the girls recoiled. The icy-blue glow from the torches vanished when the shadows closed over them.
Dakshana traced a rune in the air, murmured its name, and fire flared on her palm.
"You all right?" Srina asked.
"Fine," Dakshana said. "And you?"
Minka nodded.
Srina clung to her. "I'm afraid. I don't like this place."
"Who does?" Minka muttered.
"Probably them." Dakshana stared at the eyes gazing from the shadows. She heard laughter and shuddered.
Srina screamed.
The eyes drifted closer, and the girls recoiled. The icy-blue glow from the torches vanished when the shadows closed over them.
Dakshana traced a rune in the air, murmured its name, and fire flared on her palm.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Play On
Minka’s voice broke through the daze in Dakshana’s eyes, and she jerked back, away from his touch.
Anger frissoned through him. He’d been so close to her revoking the guard that surrounded her. He’d been but a single instant from being able to bury his hands in her hair, to press his lips to her skin and feel her shiver and sigh in his arms.
“Don’t,” Minka said, and tugged Dakshana away. “He cannot touch you - don’t let him.” She met Chadstone’s gaze coldly.
He smiled in return and drifted toward the wall. “Have it your way, then. Play on.”
Anger frissoned through him. He’d been so close to her revoking the guard that surrounded her. He’d been but a single instant from being able to bury his hands in her hair, to press his lips to her skin and feel her shiver and sigh in his arms.
“Don’t,” Minka said, and tugged Dakshana away. “He cannot touch you - don’t let him.” She met Chadstone’s gaze coldly.
He smiled in return and drifted toward the wall. “Have it your way, then. Play on.”
Not as it Seems
“This world is not as it seems,” Chadstone said.
Dakshana felt her hand curl into a fist, drew it back for an angry, untrained punch. “This is no world - it’s a nightmare. We could have been killed!”
“And yet you survived because you faced your fears.” He titled his head to the side and looked at her quizzically, his eyes jewel-blue in shadows. A smile curved his lips, one gentle and loving, and she felt something in her chest lurch. He reached out to her, and she drew back, but the longing in his eyes stopped her.
“Dakshana, no!”
Dakshana felt her hand curl into a fist, drew it back for an angry, untrained punch. “This is no world - it’s a nightmare. We could have been killed!”
“And yet you survived because you faced your fears.” He titled his head to the side and looked at her quizzically, his eyes jewel-blue in shadows. A smile curved his lips, one gentle and loving, and she felt something in her chest lurch. He reached out to her, and she drew back, but the longing in his eyes stopped her.
“Dakshana, no!”
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Shock of Success
Chadstone straightened up, blue eyes wide, though with horror or surprise he didn’t know. Ashoken and the shamans looked equally horrified when Dakshana lunged, plunged herself into the heart of the runefire. Minka only had time for an angry yell before the rope that joined her to Dakshana dragged her along. Srina wailed, a wounded rabbit, but then she too sank into the flames - and through them.
Chadstone shimmered into being in the next chamber and waited while the three girls lay on the stone floor, recovering from the shock of success.
Dakshana lifted her head and spotted him. “You.”
Chadstone shimmered into being in the next chamber and waited while the three girls lay on the stone floor, recovering from the shock of success.
Dakshana lifted her head and spotted him. “You.”
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Cold Fire
“No!” Minka cried, resisting. Dakshana, bound to the other two, was jerked back when she reached the end of the slack. Ashoken and the other shamans laughed.
“You first, pretty girl?”
Dakshana hissed at him. “Why did you kill them?”
“They knew too much,” Ashoken said, “and their child is dangerous - has too much magic. We’ll suppress it as she grows, ensure she’s a pariah.”
Minka and Srina turned to Dakshana; Minka’s eye were dark, Srina’s eyes were wet.
“Then yes,” Dakshana said, “I will go first.” Because she could feel it, the truth of the fire - it was cold.
“You first, pretty girl?”
Dakshana hissed at him. “Why did you kill them?”
“They knew too much,” Ashoken said, “and their child is dangerous - has too much magic. We’ll suppress it as she grows, ensure she’s a pariah.”
Minka and Srina turned to Dakshana; Minka’s eye were dark, Srina’s eyes were wet.
“Then yes,” Dakshana said, “I will go first.” Because she could feel it, the truth of the fire - it was cold.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Human Ashes
Chadstone rocked back on his heels, curious to hear Dakshana’s answer.
“I’m just a witness of the atrocities you commit in your search for unholy power,” she said, and Chadstone recoiled. Even though her words weren’t directed at him, her venom was unmistakable.
Ashoken laughed. “So you’ve discovered my sordid secret, my pact with the gods of the shadows. Too bad for you then - you must suffer the same fate as the last pathetic souls who knew.” He stirred human ashes with the toe of his shoe.
Dakshana lunged.
Ashoken flicked his wrist, strengthened the fire. “Who’s first, my ladies?”
“I’m just a witness of the atrocities you commit in your search for unholy power,” she said, and Chadstone recoiled. Even though her words weren’t directed at him, her venom was unmistakable.
Ashoken laughed. “So you’ve discovered my sordid secret, my pact with the gods of the shadows. Too bad for you then - you must suffer the same fate as the last pathetic souls who knew.” He stirred human ashes with the toe of his shoe.
Dakshana lunged.
Ashoken flicked his wrist, strengthened the fire. “Who’s first, my ladies?”
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Blank in the Wall
Dakshana flinched the first time one of them touched her; they were real. The shamans made quick work of binding the girls together on one side of the room, and suddenly Dakshana could smell it, the scent of burnt human flesh. She wanted to retch.
“Who are you?” Ashoken demanded.
Dakshana gazed into his eyes and tried to remember the last time she’d seen him, what she knew about him.
“The door’s gone,” Minka muttered, and Dakshana followed her gaze. The wall was blank.
How would they escape now?
Ashoken sketched a rune; fire blossomed. “I said, who are you?”
“Who are you?” Ashoken demanded.
Dakshana gazed into his eyes and tried to remember the last time she’d seen him, what she knew about him.
“The door’s gone,” Minka muttered, and Dakshana followed her gaze. The wall was blank.
How would they escape now?
Ashoken sketched a rune; fire blossomed. “I said, who are you?”
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Unexpected Players
Something wasn’t right. Chadstone narrowed his eyes and leaned in closer to watch. He’d seen Ashoken before, but it was difficult to remember well; none of the Shadowkind were much for remembering mortals who hadn’t been their own prey.
Chadstone reared back, blue eyes wide. That was it. Ashoken had been prey for some of the other Ancients. That couldn’t have been a coincidence, especially given that some of the Ancients had helped Chadstone with the spells for this game. It could only mean one thing - there were unexpected players. He had to sort this out - this was his game.
Chadstone reared back, blue eyes wide. That was it. Ashoken had been prey for some of the other Ancients. That couldn’t have been a coincidence, especially given that some of the Ancients had helped Chadstone with the spells for this game. It could only mean one thing - there were unexpected players. He had to sort this out - this was his game.
Living Memories
Dakshana drew back, shielding Minka and Srina as the shamans advanced on her with their spears. So this game wasn’t just meant to make her see her worst memories - she’d have to live through them. This time she wasn’t a child, and she was going to fight.
“Who are they and why are they here?” Ashoken demanded.
“Invaders, probably trying to help the demon-born,” another shaman said.
Ashoken’s eyes narrowed as he stepped toward them, and Dakshana saw recognition, if confused, flash in his eyes when he saw her. “Relatives,” he said. “Bind them. We’ll deal with them later.”
“Who are they and why are they here?” Ashoken demanded.
“Invaders, probably trying to help the demon-born,” another shaman said.
Ashoken’s eyes narrowed as he stepped toward them, and Dakshana saw recognition, if confused, flash in his eyes when he saw her. “Relatives,” he said. “Bind them. We’ll deal with them later.”
Friday, November 7, 2008
New Dimensions
Chadstone had listened to mortals scream through worse and was unaffected by the memories’ cries. Dakshana’s blank face was - dangerous, to say the least. He’d seen a mortal once go from hyper-emotion to none at all in a split second, and he’d realized, almost too late, what the real change had been. Dakshana grabbed Srina by the arm, nearly wrenching it out of its socket, and lunged for the door where the shamans stood. The shamans, alerted by the commotion, raised their spears. Dakshana drew to a halt, horror in her eyes, and Chadstone smiled. This dimension was new.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Did Your Parents Never Tell
“What’s going on?” Minka asked.
Srina was poking at the wood carvings in the corner, toys Dakshana’s father had made for her.
Dakshana lifted her chin defiantly, hands curled into fists. The shamans had come in the door - which meant she could go out the door.
Srina realized what was going on too late, when Dakshana’s parents were already drowning in rune-fire. She clung to Minka and wept, and Dakshana wondered, cruelly, that she still had tears to cry after all her weeping.
“Dakshana, what –” Minka began.
Dakshana said, “Did your parents never tell you how my parents died?”
Srina was poking at the wood carvings in the corner, toys Dakshana’s father had made for her.
Dakshana lifted her chin defiantly, hands curled into fists. The shamans had come in the door - which meant she could go out the door.
Srina realized what was going on too late, when Dakshana’s parents were already drowning in rune-fire. She clung to Minka and wept, and Dakshana wondered, cruelly, that she still had tears to cry after all her weeping.
“Dakshana, what –” Minka began.
Dakshana said, “Did your parents never tell you how my parents died?”
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Memories of Ashoken
The beauty of the game was that the players had to face down themselves as they advanced through the stages toward the center. Chadstone set the spells, but he didn’t choose what they saw - the spells were powered fully by the minds of the players. He hadn’t expected this, hadn’t known Dakshana as anything other than that single ray of light, brilliant from his place in the shadows. That her worst memory was of her parents’ death was unsurprising - Chadstone had seen many horrible memories in his time. What was surprising was the mortal man - Ashoken. Chadstone remembered him too.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The Burning
Dakshana’s head whipped around, but she knew that sound. She hadn’t heard that sound in years, hadn’t made that sound since - since her parents died.
Srina whimpered and clung to Minka.
Dakshana flung herself backward when a door suddenly appeared in the wall and was thrown open. People poured in - her mother, father, herself, merely a child - and the shamans. Ashoken. There was screaming; her mother was crying. And then Ashoken was yelling, gesturing - and Dakshana knew the symbols against the Eye of Shadows. He was casting them against her child self, and she knew what came next.
The Burning.
Srina whimpered and clung to Minka.
Dakshana flung herself backward when a door suddenly appeared in the wall and was thrown open. People poured in - her mother, father, herself, merely a child - and the shamans. Ashoken. There was screaming; her mother was crying. And then Ashoken was yelling, gesturing - and Dakshana knew the symbols against the Eye of Shadows. He was casting them against her child self, and she knew what came next.
The Burning.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Outside the Walls
Chadstone hovered outside the walls, watching. This first test ought to be easy. His mouth twisted into a moue of distaste. He would be annoyed if Dakshana succumbed to this too easily. The Ancients pestered him for his inability to play a good game. He tossed his head, shaking his hair out of his eyes. He had a good game now.
Srina seemed oblivious to the fact that they were in danger and was enjoying the stroll down memory lane. Minka and Dakshana were searching for a way out, though there were no doors. Chadstone smiled, and the screaming began.
Srina seemed oblivious to the fact that they were in danger and was enjoying the stroll down memory lane. Minka and Dakshana were searching for a way out, though there were no doors. Chadstone smiled, and the screaming began.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Center of the Maze: Childhood
Dakshana flinched back from Chadstone. He did rune magic - magic that was stronger and older and smelled more dark than anything the shamans had done. Ashoken had known this magic, though, and Ashoken was dead. Chadstone was some otherworldly wizard. Dakshana could survive him.
“Yes,” she said. “The maze.” She lifted her chin defiantly. Beside her, Minka looked equally defiant. Srina looked scared.
“After you, then,” Chadstone said, and made a sweeping, expansive gesture.
And the stone room vanished.
Dakshana jumped - and crashed into Minka, who toppled into Srina, who fell against the wall. Of Dakshana’s hut. From her childhood.
“Yes,” she said. “The maze.” She lifted her chin defiantly. Beside her, Minka looked equally defiant. Srina looked scared.
“After you, then,” Chadstone said, and made a sweeping, expansive gesture.
And the stone room vanished.
Dakshana jumped - and crashed into Minka, who toppled into Srina, who fell against the wall. Of Dakshana’s hut. From her childhood.
Painful Stubbornness
She looked pained, and he didn’t like that. What had hurt her? He wanted to reach out, to soothe her. He sketched a rune in the air - kenaz, for fire - and he plucked a torch from nothing. Was she unnerved by the shadows? Many mortals were, and the shadows of his realm were deeper than any mortal knew - or survived. He held the torch out to her, but she flinched back, and there was that pain again.
If she was going to be stubborn, he would have to offer incentive to cooperate. “You wanted to go to the maze, then?”
If she was going to be stubborn, he would have to offer incentive to cooperate. “You wanted to go to the maze, then?”
Friday, October 31, 2008
Hot and Cold
The runes set her skin on fire, as if she’d been thrust into the middle of a midsummer bonfire. She wanted to scream, but she couldn’t breathe. She wanted to run, but she was propelled forward by unseen force, further into the heat - and abruptly, inexplicably, into cold.
Dakshana was in a room made of stone, as if someone had carved a cave into a house. She hadn’t known this was possible. The floor was strewn with soft animal skins. And standing in the middle of the room, robed in black shadows, was Chadstone.
“Welcome,” he said, “to my world.”
Dakshana was in a room made of stone, as if someone had carved a cave into a house. She hadn’t known this was possible. The floor was strewn with soft animal skins. And standing in the middle of the room, robed in black shadows, was Chadstone.
“Welcome,” he said, “to my world.”
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Into the Shadows
The fear that crossed Dakshana’s face was - incomprehensible. Chadstone had only known that fear once, the first time he stepped into mortal sunlight, but he didn’t know why she would feel so. Could she sense the magic? One as strong as her was usually a shaman of sorts - so why did the magic terrify her?
“Dakshana?” Srina asked.
She stared at the swirling circle of runes, of the seven signs of the travelling circle, and he thought she would begin to weep. But she held her chin high, grabbed her friends’ hands, and marched forward.
And vanished into the Shadows.
“Dakshana?” Srina asked.
She stared at the swirling circle of runes, of the seven signs of the travelling circle, and he thought she would begin to weep. But she held her chin high, grabbed her friends’ hands, and marched forward.
And vanished into the Shadows.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Circle of Runes
“Why the maze?” Srina asked.
Dakshana was furious. Chadstone’s gall was unbelievable - he wanted a kiss from her. After he’d lured her into a cave filled with magic. Magic she’d felt before. The night Ashoken disappeared.
“We got the answer!” Srina protested, but Minka dragged her along.
“He wanted Dakshana to give him the answer,” Minka said.
“And she did!”
“She told him, she didn’t give it to him.”
Dakshana ignored their squabbling and started toward the back of the cave. The buzzing, humming, burning became worse. There it was - a circle of fire on the floor, flooded with runes.
Dakshana was furious. Chadstone’s gall was unbelievable - he wanted a kiss from her. After he’d lured her into a cave filled with magic. Magic she’d felt before. The night Ashoken disappeared.
“We got the answer!” Srina protested, but Minka dragged her along.
“He wanted Dakshana to give him the answer,” Minka said.
“And she did!”
“She told him, she didn’t give it to him.”
Dakshana ignored their squabbling and started toward the back of the cave. The buzzing, humming, burning became worse. There it was - a circle of fire on the floor, flooded with runes.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Her Immortal Words
“You got the answer.” Srina broke into a bright smile. Had Chadstone a heart, it would have been warmed at her positively comic naivety. She turned to him. “That’s the answer - let one of us go!”
“It should be Srina,” Dakshana murmured to Minka.
A wise decision. Chadstone lifted his chin imperiously and arched one eyebrow. If he won this one, Dakshana wasn’t the girl he thought she was. But he could remember her arms around him, her child-form tucked beneath his chin, her immortal words.
“That wasn’t the bargain,” he said.
Dakshana turned away. “The maze,” she said.
“It should be Srina,” Dakshana murmured to Minka.
A wise decision. Chadstone lifted his chin imperiously and arched one eyebrow. If he won this one, Dakshana wasn’t the girl he thought she was. But he could remember her arms around him, her child-form tucked beneath his chin, her immortal words.
“That wasn’t the bargain,” he said.
Dakshana turned away. “The maze,” she said.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Riddle
“How single, how small?” Dakshana asked. Her hands curled into fists, and she stepped in front of Minka and Srina to protect them from his magic.
His smile turned dangerously amused and wolf-hungry. “Give me the answer to this riddle:
“Of no use to one
Yet absolute bliss to two.
The small boy gets it for nothing.
The young man has to lie for it.
The old man has to buy it.”
“That’s all?” Dakshana asked.
“Give it to me,” Chadstone said again. Something about his tone wasn’t right.
“What’s the answer?” Srina asked.
Dakshana’s mind raced. “A kiss.”
His smile turned dangerously amused and wolf-hungry. “Give me the answer to this riddle:
“Of no use to one
Yet absolute bliss to two.
The small boy gets it for nothing.
The young man has to lie for it.
The old man has to buy it.”
“That’s all?” Dakshana asked.
“Give it to me,” Chadstone said again. Something about his tone wasn’t right.
“What’s the answer?” Srina asked.
Dakshana’s mind raced. “A kiss.”
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Single Small Gift
She was beautifully strong-spirited. Chadstone would savor every moment of eternity with her. He turned, followed them with his eyes. He saw Dakshana lead the other two toward the back of the cave to the traveling circle and saw her - flinch. As if the magic hurt her. Chadstone narrowed his eyes. No, he didn’t want to hurt her - at least, not too much. He’d hurt her a little unless she cooperated. But if the mere presence of magic hurt her, what would travel do?
“I’ll let one of your friends live if you give me a single small gift.”
“I’ll let one of your friends live if you give me a single small gift.”
Whatever You're Willing to Pay
Dakshana wished she still had that impromptu spear she’d picked up earlier, but she knew that no mortal weapons would serve against Chadstone - if that was even his name. He was beyond human, and he had metal weapons. Nothing she had could possibly harm him.
“Dakshana, what’s going on?” Srina asked.
Minka clutched at her shoulder. “We’re in trouble.”
Dakshana ignored Srina’s plaintive whimper - she needed a plan, and fast. First she needed information. “Freedom? At what price?”
Chadstone’s smile was heartbreakingly beautiful - and absolutely terrifying. “Whatever you’re willing to pay.”
Dakshana nodded. “Minka, Srina, we’re going into the maze.”
“Dakshana, what’s going on?” Srina asked.
Minka clutched at her shoulder. “We’re in trouble.”
Dakshana ignored Srina’s plaintive whimper - she needed a plan, and fast. First she needed information. “Freedom? At what price?”
Chadstone’s smile was heartbreakingly beautiful - and absolutely terrifying. “Whatever you’re willing to pay.”
Dakshana nodded. “Minka, Srina, we’re going into the maze.”
Friday, October 24, 2008
Maze
Chadstone turned to face Dakshana fully. She was smarter than he’d realized, more in tune with magic than he’d thought possible for a mere mortal, but the first time he’d laid eyes on her he’d known she was more than other mortals. He was unafraid to let her see truly him, for she would never learn how he could die - or be hurt.
“The rules are easy: the maze beyond is the gate. Make it to the central court - win.”
Dakshana lifted her chin. “What prize for us?”
She understood, then, what the prize was for him.
He said, “Freedom.”
“The rules are easy: the maze beyond is the gate. Make it to the central court - win.”
Dakshana lifted her chin. “What prize for us?”
She understood, then, what the prize was for him.
He said, “Freedom.”
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Reasons and Rhymes
“Ready for what?” Dakshana asked, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to know. She recognized this low, skull-numbing magical hum from her nightmares, from the night Ashoken disappeared.
“The game,” Chadstone said, and his façade wavered. He wasn’t a hunter, not really. He was - something else. Inhuman, though more so or less, Dakshana couldn’t tell.
“What game?” Srina asked, wide-eyed, innocent.
Minka was more shrewd - good old Minka. “Whatever game he’s playing. With us.”
Chadstone’s smile was beautiful, immortal, wolf-hungry. “Right. A simple game.”
“Why?” Dakshana asked.
Chadstone’s eyes darkened. “There’s always a prize.”
Dakshana’s heart froze.
“The game,” Chadstone said, and his façade wavered. He wasn’t a hunter, not really. He was - something else. Inhuman, though more so or less, Dakshana couldn’t tell.
“What game?” Srina asked, wide-eyed, innocent.
Minka was more shrewd - good old Minka. “Whatever game he’s playing. With us.”
Chadstone’s smile was beautiful, immortal, wolf-hungry. “Right. A simple game.”
“Why?” Dakshana asked.
Chadstone’s eyes darkened. “There’s always a prize.”
Dakshana’s heart froze.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Ready or Not
Chadstone, once satisfied the fire would burn, rose to his feet. He moved to check on the mortal girls once more, asking if everything was all right, and then he felt it. The tingle of magic in the air - not rune magic, but magic all the same. He’d felt that magic once before, from a Seer whose Sight had been beyond parallel. He knew the moment he felt it, and a frisson of excitement rose in him. Another challenge. Excellent. He turned slowly, met Dakshana’s gaze, unabashed as she studied him, his inhuman form.
He smiled and said, “You ready?”
He smiled and said, “You ready?”
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Noose Closed
As soon as Dakshana stepped into the cave, she knew something was wrong. Unease whispered in her blood, skittered down her spine like shards of ice. What was wrong? Minka and Srina sank down on a patch of dry earth, huddled together, compared wounds, tried to laugh.
Chadstone knelt beside a pile of stones. Dakshana felt it before she saw it, the burn of rune magic in the air. Then she realized Chadstone had lit a fire. With nothing more than his bare hands. Dakshana studied him in the firelight, and she knew.
Outside the cave, the wolves were silent.
Chadstone knelt beside a pile of stones. Dakshana felt it before she saw it, the burn of rune magic in the air. Then she realized Chadstone had lit a fire. With nothing more than his bare hands. Dakshana studied him in the firelight, and she knew.
Outside the cave, the wolves were silent.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Open Doors
Success. She was lured and trapped. From here on out it was just a game, playing through the challenge to reach the prize.
And what a prize it was.
Chadstone extended a hand to Minka, but she refused, suspicion glinting in her eyes. The first challenge, then.
He led them through the trees, careful to stay just ahead of the dire wolves so the girls could hear the snarls and howls. His target was the portal, the beginning of the maze.
“In here - it’s safe, and they’re too big to get in here,” he said, and stepped into the cave.
And what a prize it was.
Chadstone extended a hand to Minka, but she refused, suspicion glinting in her eyes. The first challenge, then.
He led them through the trees, careful to stay just ahead of the dire wolves so the girls could hear the snarls and howls. His target was the portal, the beginning of the maze.
“In here - it’s safe, and they’re too big to get in here,” he said, and stepped into the cave.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Hunter, Hunted
Dakshana couldn't speak. Chadstone was handsome - unearthly so - and bore all the marks of a fine hunter - strong body, excellent weapon - but just now he was. A man. Not an arrogant hunter, not a frightened boy, a man. Who had helped her friends.
Then he straightened up and cleaned his blade with a handful of leaves. He paused, listened.
"We should hide." He was a hunter again, alert, sure.
"Why?" Minka asked. She limped.
"Others are coming," Chadstone said.
A chorus of howls rang through the trees, weaving, rising. Closer.
Dakshana grabbed Srina's hand. To Chadstone, she said, "Which way?"
Then he straightened up and cleaned his blade with a handful of leaves. He paused, listened.
"We should hide." He was a hunter again, alert, sure.
"Why?" Minka asked. She limped.
"Others are coming," Chadstone said.
A chorus of howls rang through the trees, weaving, rising. Closer.
Dakshana grabbed Srina's hand. To Chadstone, she said, "Which way?"
Shadow, Human
Chadstone could feel Dakshana's gaze on him while he checked the mortal girls; her intensity was a good sign. A couple of quick runes sketched and invoked eased their pain; complete healing would give away the game.
He helped the girls to their feet. They smiled gratefully, then turned to Dakshana. She was staring at him. For the first time, Chadstone was paralyzed by indecision. Before, he always chose an unfettered, confident demeanor. He was a prince of the shadow realm, more than a man but less than a god, beautiful, preternatural.
Here, in Dakshana's eyes, he was just a human.
He helped the girls to their feet. They smiled gratefully, then turned to Dakshana. She was staring at him. For the first time, Chadstone was paralyzed by indecision. Before, he always chose an unfettered, confident demeanor. He was a prince of the shadow realm, more than a man but less than a god, beautiful, preternatural.
Here, in Dakshana's eyes, he was just a human.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Hero
Dakshana's scream died in her throat. The hunters cowering in front of her fled. Chadstone was on the wolf. The wolf yowled, tossed its head, but Chadstone clung fiercely. Dakshana saw Minka and Srina writhe free of the wolf's jaws. Chadstone's blade flashed as he plunged it into the wolf's neck and severed its spinal cord. The wolf dropped, hit the ground like a felled tree. There was no one left to scream, for all had fled. Minka and Srina huddled together, wounded, weeping. Chadstone stabbed the beast once more to ensure it was dead. Then he hurried to Minka and Srina.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Brink
This was the test, the brink of failure or success. Dakshana thought him handsome, but that battle was too easily won and that victory too easily lost. She had to trust him, love him. Because he wanted not just her soul but her heart.
The dire wolf - shadow-made, born of runes - smashed through the trees; mortals scattered. Dakshana cried out. The thing had two girls swinging from its jaws. Her friends. Even better. Chadstone dropped into a combat stance, feeling the rush of the hunt fill his limbs. He sprang, twisted in midair, and landed on the wolf's back.
The dire wolf - shadow-made, born of runes - smashed through the trees; mortals scattered. Dakshana cried out. The thing had two girls swinging from its jaws. Her friends. Even better. Chadstone dropped into a combat stance, feeling the rush of the hunt fill his limbs. He sprang, twisted in midair, and landed on the wolf's back.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Hunting
"What is it?" Dakshana asked. Chadstone led her through the trees. His expression was blank, but he thrummed with the elemental intensity of a hunter.
"Sounds like a dire wolf," he said. His voice slid over her like liquid silk and settled in her bones; they ran, hand in hand.
Hunters and maidens screamed, fleeing. One group of hunters banded together, armed with sticks and stones; one was covered in blood, face blank and wet with tears. Chadstone thrust Dakshana behind the confused hunters and drew a knife. It was long, wickedly curved, and gleamed in the moonlight. It was metal.
"Sounds like a dire wolf," he said. His voice slid over her like liquid silk and settled in her bones; they ran, hand in hand.
Hunters and maidens screamed, fleeing. One group of hunters banded together, armed with sticks and stones; one was covered in blood, face blank and wet with tears. Chadstone thrust Dakshana behind the confused hunters and drew a knife. It was long, wickedly curved, and gleamed in the moonlight. It was metal.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Thrill
Chadstone could lean in, try a kiss, but he wouldn't waste the thrill of the game.
A crash rattled through the trees, followed by screams. Fear. Dakshana scooped up a branch, an impromptu spear. Chadstone offered a hand.
"We should run," he said.
"No - I must find my friends!"
"We'll find them. I know a safe place."
Dakshana studied his face; he wondered if she saw what he really was. She took his hand. Her fingers twined with his; her skin was warm. He started for a gap in the trees.
"This way."
She followed.
For a moment, he wished she hadn't.
A crash rattled through the trees, followed by screams. Fear. Dakshana scooped up a branch, an impromptu spear. Chadstone offered a hand.
"We should run," he said.
"No - I must find my friends!"
"We'll find them. I know a safe place."
Dakshana studied his face; he wondered if she saw what he really was. She took his hand. Her fingers twined with his; her skin was warm. He started for a gap in the trees.
"This way."
She followed.
For a moment, he wished she hadn't.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Smile
Dakshana's heart drummed faster than a hummingbird's wings. Since Ashoken's vanishing, she had learned to watch for herself, knowing how the villagers watched her, feared her.
She didn't know anyone could sneak up on her. But Chadstone's smile robbed her of fear - and breath. His expression was - awed. Eyes wide, pupils dilated, like he was drinking in the sight of her. Then the expression wavered, and Dakshana saw something new in his eyes - want. Dakshana shivered mesmerized, thrilled, but was subconsciously wary.
Then Chadstone lowered his gaze, heavy black lashes veiling lightning blue, and he was - vulnerable. Shy. But he smiled.
She didn't know anyone could sneak up on her. But Chadstone's smile robbed her of fear - and breath. His expression was - awed. Eyes wide, pupils dilated, like he was drinking in the sight of her. Then the expression wavered, and Dakshana saw something new in his eyes - want. Dakshana shivered mesmerized, thrilled, but was subconsciously wary.
Then Chadstone lowered his gaze, heavy black lashes veiling lightning blue, and he was - vulnerable. Shy. But he smiled.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Game On
Chadstone sensed Dakshana's indecision; fear lanced through him. He ghosted through the trees, a blur of pale shadows. Dakshana's instinct for flight was strong, but he hadn't waited this long just to lose.
He reached her hiding place and moved behind her, silent, the eternal tableau of hunter and hunted. If he pressed his face against her hair, he'd be able to smell sunlight on her skin. He said,
"Found you."
She jumped, spun around, shift flaring around her ankles.
Chadstone stepped close. He could almost taste the sunlight.
Game on.
He reached her hiding place and moved behind her, silent, the eternal tableau of hunter and hunted. If he pressed his face against her hair, he'd be able to smell sunlight on her skin. He said,
"Found you."
She jumped, spun around, shift flaring around her ankles.
Chadstone stepped close. He could almost taste the sunlight.
Game on.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Almost Thwarted
Anticipation was maddening, burning residual magic, but Dakshana waited, hoped Srina and Minka found hunters who'd make them happy. Dakshana knew she must find a hunter, but the villagers thought her cursed: parentless, roaming sleeplessly after Ashoken's disappearance. It would be difficult for Chadstone to court her, for her dowry was self-made, small. She wondered if she should hide deeper, claim no hunter found her, flee. She was a talented poet so she could claim she was a wandering storyteller. Another clan would let her choose a hunter freely. She took a deep breath and chose which way to run.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Maiden Waiting
Chadstone's snare was subtly woven. Other traps took very careful machinations, but Chadstone watched Dakshana in the scrying pools and knew this battle would be hard fought and sweetly won.
The shaman noticed him, and fear flashed in her eyes before Chadstone followed the hunter down the hill. His blindfold was on before he reached the trees, but shadows were his realm and he needed no sight to make his way. He passed many hunters and maidens, but he sought only one maiden. She stood in an alcove of trees hidden from other hunters. He hoped she waited for him.
The shaman noticed him, and fear flashed in her eyes before Chadstone followed the hunter down the hill. His blindfold was on before he reached the trees, but shadows were his realm and he needed no sight to make his way. He passed many hunters and maidens, but he sought only one maiden. She stood in an alcove of trees hidden from other hunters. He hoped she waited for him.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Destined of the Gods
"He is very handsome," said Minka, Dakshana's best friend, blessed with sky-coloured eyes. The hunters thronged for her.
Dakshana couldn't look at Chadstone, pale as moonlight beside the sun-browned hunters.
"Where is his village?" asked Srina. She was Dakshana's other best friend, a famous weaver. She was valuable prey in the hunt of courtship.
Dakshana said, "We must go. The second ceremony begins."
The girls ran down the hill, scattered in the trees. The hunters, blindfolded, would find them. A hunter who found the same girl three times was destined of the gods. Dakshana was sure Chadstone would find her.
Dakshana couldn't look at Chadstone, pale as moonlight beside the sun-browned hunters.
"Where is his village?" asked Srina. She was Dakshana's other best friend, a famous weaver. She was valuable prey in the hunt of courtship.
Dakshana said, "We must go. The second ceremony begins."
The girls ran down the hill, scattered in the trees. The hunters, blindfolded, would find them. A hunter who found the same girl three times was destined of the gods. Dakshana was sure Chadstone would find her.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
A Little Longer
Chadstone couldn’t touch her unless she allowed it; that was the nature of his pursuit, one inviolate rule of every game that every shadow had to overcome. To dance this close, to feel the living warmth of her, was maddening, intoxicating, but he did not lose the rhythm. If he lost his pace that easily, that early, he would never win the game. But he was a shadow, ancient in his own right, and patient. When the dance ended, he returned to his side of the fire. He had waited for twelve years. He could wait just a little longer.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
First Dance
When they danced, it was as if the music played by the shamans was just for them. It was as if they were dancing for each other, had rehearsed these steps their entire lives and were coming together for the first time. Dakshana felt a whisper of a thrill down her spine as Chadstone swayed with her, close enough to feel the coolness of his skin but not to touch. She turned, and he followed. He stepped, and she retreated. Dakshana didn’t know if they were even following the other dancers anymore, but that didn’t matter.
They mattered. Chadstone and Dakshana.
They mattered. Chadstone and Dakshana.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Dakshana, Grown
Chadstone smiled at her, the smile that won the hearts of the most beautiful women of every age. The flames leapt, and golden light spilled across her skin, danced in her eyes; realization pierced him like noonday sunlight. He'd spent time in the mortal realm sharpening his skill, but he hadn't dreamt he would find her so easily. Her. The mortal child, the one who loved him, the little girl who gave light and life to his shadowed world. She was a woman now, plain compared to others, but beautiful and strong.
She said," I'm Dakshana."
He said, "Let's dance."
She said," I'm Dakshana."
He said, "Let's dance."
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Chadstone, Named
The shamans finished their supplication to the gods, and the dance for midsummer fires was beginning. Dakshana hated shaman magic; the air burned with runes that blistered her palms, and she knew their magic was tainted. She took a deep breath, prayed to the stars for strength, and began to dance. The music dulled the heat of magic; another heat filled the air. She twirled, shimmied, swayed, fell into unison with her sisters. She reached the far side of the fire, and a hunter stepped into her path.
His smile pierced her consciousness like lightning.
He said, "My name is Chadstone."
His smile pierced her consciousness like lightning.
He said, "My name is Chadstone."
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Midsummer Fires
Dakshana had reached her seventeenth summer and long forgotten to wonder about her lost straw doll. She wore her best shift and jewels in her hair, and she stood with the other maidens beside the midsummer fire. Even though she had no parents, she would choose a hunter, same as other maidens, and in the coming months, during the courting, she would choose a husband. The hunters came from villages afar; the hunters from her village left seven suns before. In the shadows, on the other side of the fire, Dakshana saw a hunter with moonlight hair and dawn-blue eyes.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Ultimate Prize
Chadstone studied the straw doll. He knew its owner; she was not the Ancients' victim, safe from the realm of shadows. Chadstone sketched a rune in a scrying bowl - it filled with water. Another rune, and he could see Dakshana - that's what the mortals called her. The sunlight in her eyes had dimmed. Chadstone thought to take her to a kingdom of his own making to make her smile. But she was still strong, fending for herself.
"Have you chosen an ultimate prize?" asked an Ancient. He was behind Chadstone, icy, amused.
Chadstone smiled at the water; Dakshana's image dissolved.
"Yes."
"Have you chosen an ultimate prize?" asked an Ancient. He was behind Chadstone, icy, amused.
Chadstone smiled at the water; Dakshana's image dissolved.
"Yes."
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Aftermath of Ashoken
Dakshana disn't know what happened or why the shamans looked at her and cried. She did not know why she was not asleep in her bed. She knew nothing of Ashoken the elder, who was gone, or the patch of burnt grass behind his hut. All she knew was that she was tired, cranky, and wanted to sleep more, and she couldn't find her doll. Dakshana wanted to know what happened to her doll, but no one would tell her. No one told her anything, and she resigned herself to the excuse that she would understand when she grew up.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
The Game Is Afoot
Chadstone came across the end of a rune magic ceremony. Ancient magic lingered in the air, laced with the intoxicating scent of mortality. He sensed the faded hum of a portal and wondered why the Ancients lingered. Surely if a victim was present the game would be afoot, and yet they hovered in the shadows. Then, with an ominous cacophony of laughter, the Ancients dispersed. Chadstone felt them pass in a haze of derision, condescension, and amusement. Perhaps their game was afoot. Chadstone watched them leave, then faced the remnants of the portal. On the ground was a straw doll.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
The Travelling Circle
Dakshana woke from frenzied dreams of strange men with moonlight hair and eyes the colour of newly-broken dawn. Magic danced in her fingertips, and she rose from her bed of furs, straw doll clutched close, and slipped out of the den of sleeping children. She followed the tug of magic to the edge of the village where only the shamans and elders dared to venture, and she saw the shimmer of a travelling circle in a patch of dead grass. Inside the circle, she saw the glow of a thousand pair of ancient, hungry eyes.
She coudn't even scream.
She coudn't even scream.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Just a Shadow
Chadstone hovered on the edge of twilight, watching children, watching her play. The game was frenzied laughter, tackling, running. Though daylight faded, sunlight shone in her eyes. She spied him in the shadows and came close, smiling.
"Who are you?" she asked.
He said, "Just a shadow."
Sensation unlike the myriad dusky pleasures he'd known ricocheted through him when she hugged him and promised she'd love him forever. Then she backed away to return to play, and he took a foolish step in following - and vanished.
Shadows did not live in light.
"Who are you?" she asked.
He said, "Just a shadow."
Sensation unlike the myriad dusky pleasures he'd known ricocheted through him when she hugged him and promised she'd love him forever. Then she backed away to return to play, and he took a foolish step in following - and vanished.
Shadows did not live in light.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Shadows, Bones
Chadstone was born into shadows, carved into life by a shard of bone against infernal glass; nine runes and a splash of blood to form a body animated. The Ancients slithered through their illusion-riddled world and played chess with mortal lives, sucking the marrow out of their souls. Chadstone hovered on the edges of the mortal realm, sharpening his magic and wit, and wondered if he could steal a soul. He watched a mortal play, a girl with black curls and golden eyes.
He wondered if it was better to steal a mortal heart.
He wondered if it was better to steal a mortal heart.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Nine-piece Existence
Darkness likes to dissolve souls. Smother them. Whittle them down to nothingness. Leave them as less than dust. But this soul is too stubborn, strong, both halves too solid to ruin. So the darkness shatters it. Smashes it into shards and throws the pieces wide. Brown for earth. One blue for air. Another blue for fire. Black for dragons. Grey for water. Another blue for the void. Green for love. Gold for girl. Too many for the boy.
Then the shadows swallow the world, the heavens, the city of glass, and spit out the pieces. Nine pieces for a new world.
Then the shadows swallow the world, the heavens, the city of glass, and spit out the pieces. Nine pieces for a new world.
Friday, September 26, 2008
City of Glass
Raven waits in the city of glass, listening for the song of battle. She saw the blue guile in her lover's eyes and knows he will not return. Shadows hiss and roar in the distance; they will reach the city and swallow it whole. She bears her sword and will fight alongside her sisters, and she will die with a broken heart. The soldiers left, but the city is not defenseless until the shadows arrive. The pride of the elders angered the powers that slumbered in the deep, and overhead the stars wink out like snuffed candles. Justice has come.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Green With Love
Corbin is a soldier, honorable and brave, fast with a sword and faster with a kiss. He wears bloodstained armour and stands on the edge of a battlefield still with shadows. They writhe over the fallen; bodies crumble. When the shadows come for him, the last living, he will fight one final time. His eyes are blue with laughter, guile; brown with lust, black with sorrow, grey with anger, green with love. His eyes are all colours but her golden; her hair is midnight to his moonlight. She is everything he's not, and he doesn't want to say goodbye.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Chase in 100
Chase is green eyes turned blue, easy smiles covering wicked grins, killer piano-hands and fighter-lithe body concealed as a dancer. He is lonely jazz and intricate classical, pre-teen melodic and easy tenor. Tonight he’s a superstar, and tomorrow he’s a murderer. He can shoot the wings off a fly with one eye closed and kill a man with his bare hands. His coworkers call him Spaz and Dreamer and think he’s an easy musician. In his dreams he’s never forgotten he’s an orphan, but in his waking hours he’s Josh, and today he thinks it’ll never end.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Jade in 100
Jade is blue eyes and a halo of golden curls, wicked dancing hips and radio-friendly voice, thief-dexterous hands and a deceiver's smile. He is punk rock and heavy guitars at midnight, pop sensation and screaming fans at twilight. He is international superstar famous and underworld operative anonymous. Today he’ll smile and pose for the cameras, collect his money and sing his songs. Tonight he’ll disable the cameras, drill the locks, and escape with the loot. Tomorrow he’ll be in another place, another country, on site for another job. He’ll always be Jade, four lines tattooed on his wrist.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Asia in 100
Asia is golden eyes and dark curls, a thousand faces in a thousand lives. She is soulmate and soul-reaver, taking lives with a flick of her wrist, a pull of a trigger, a single command. She is a computer programmer unleashing viruses on the stock market; she's a sister, giving advice and hugs alongside guilt. She is dark chocolate kisses and snake-striking punches. In everything she does, she dances - on lines, on hearts, on lives. Tonight she commands, and her soldiers - teammates - obey. If everything goes right, none of them will have the tomorrow she couldn’t promise them.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
DJ in 100
DJ is dagaz-blue eyes and frost-white hair, shadow-elusive and beautiful enough to hurt. He is Chadstone down a well, granting wishes and wishing he was carved out of anything but rock. He’s electric guitar riffs and charcoal-smudged fingertips, paint-blushed skin as he separates a man from his life with bare, long-fingered hands. He is Dragon of the Emeralds, kung-fu quick and astral-projection hidden, every color of the spectrum and every vision of nothingness. Some nights he wants to be Dylan with Celia in his arms, but tonight he works and ends lives.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Keith in 100
Keith has Houdini-quick hands and an even quicker smile, and his red hair is even redder in the flames he builds. The girls swoon for his accent. The boys swoon after he punches them. His kisses taste like Irish whiskey, and his laughter is a Celtic battle cry. He was a warrior for the Irish Glorious Cause and now he plays bass in an obscure American ska band. Today he will self-immolate, release himself to the gods of fire, send an entire building up in flames. Then Christian will put him back together, and he’ll be Keith again.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Christian in 100
Christian is quislai quixotic, blue-eyed sweet and knighted arrogance. He looks as good in armor as he does in Armani. He would rather play guitar in a coffee house than dance onstage for thousands of screaming girls, but he has a “job” and a “wife” and he doesn’t compromise a thing. He imagines his family on solstice nights and rides with the wind. Tonight, girls scream. More will scream when they find their parents dead, but he will be long gone, living it up on a tour bus like the rock star that he isn’t. He’s just a soldier.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Angel in 100
Angel is James Bond charm and Hannibal Lecter precision. He flirts and chats his way through the crowd toward his target, dashing in his tuxedo. He murmurs poetry in Sanskrit, a general whose battle lines have been long erased from the sand. He is a student on a silent mountain, dancing ancient forms in bare-handed murder, and he is a mafia enforcer who is too good at his job. Angel knows he could have Gabriel make this a clean, bloodless kill, but someone has to think this one is a murder, and tonight it will be. Angel doesn't hesitate.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Gabriel in 100
Gabriel is a wolf-sharp smile and eyes in shattered slate. He is voices on the wind and in the mind, ice-prickly walls and too-strong telepathy. He is acoustic guitar and call-and-answer songs echoing down rows of plantation cotton. He is the rifle report of a Union soldier, the tattered grey of a Confederate messenger. When he lounges on the sofa, barefoot in jeans and a t-shirt, listening to jazz, his victim is another continent away. Gabriel can close his eyes and remember sterile institution walls, and with a single thought, the target is dead.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Tobias in 100
Tobias is bowling shirts and sleek dark hair, coal-black eyes and gentle smiles. He is piano melodies and violin strains on the wind, wolf howls on a full moon night. He hovers in shadows, a human boy, an ancient monster, a broken-hearted soldier all in one. When the victim is in range, he will leap, shimmer in quicksilver formlessness, and then become whatever he has to be to get the job done. Some days Tobias is a child, other days he is Lucy, Russian seductress and redheaded bombshell. Tonight he is just Tobias and ready to kill.
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