by Sarah | Mar 18, 2013 | Books, Hybrid, Tuesday Tales, Writing
The prompt this week was Tight. I finally managed to name this bad-boy…and she will be henceforth called Hybrid (at least until I decide to hate it and change it).
There will be no Tuesday Tales next week (~whimper~), so this is it for two weeks…hope I didn’t leave you hanging too badly. 😉
Remember, this is a meme with many contributing authors, so make sure to click the link at the bottom of the image to take you to see more!
Anyhow, as always this is un-edited mostly, so forgive any errors. :
An arid breeze stirred along my skin. The familiar scent of phlox blooming in the dusk relaxed even my worst nerves at being home. Distant peaks jutted against the deep purple and red of the setting suns.
I stepped onto the ledge just yards from the door we’d entered through and soaked in the familiarity. Where I stood now would be, to a human on the Terran plane, Liberty Island. The peaks and pits of the mountains were city buildings, skyscrapers. Millions of people occupying a land that in our world was desolate save for loners and wildlife.
Beside me, my father’s human veneer, which moments ago had sagged with regret, grew tight against his true form. Silver scales gleamed through the thinning human flesh, his eyes sparkling silver.
My own flesh became taut, pulling and stretching against my body’s instinct to grow taller and larger. Red lines etched along my arms, adding to the pattern of flowers and scale-like arches.
“I will have to break my arm to cover the signs with a cast at this rate. We shouldn’t remain long.” Even through my words I didn’t move, compelled to stay where I was as I reacclimated to the plane. The songs of dragons began to carry on the breeze, welcoming their king home, and me as well.
Our conversation weighed heavy on my mind, and my father’s quick agreement to my accessment the war wouldn’t be fight here on the Wyvern plane. Instinct clawed its way through my belly and twisted it into knots.
“You’re right, Father.”
“About what, Jyoti?”
“I am a very good tactician. You knew what I would say, that I would return and fight for the plane. You knew what was happening, there was nothing in that box and that’s why you didn’t force my hand.”
My accusations didn’t draw anger, but a smile creased his lips. “And why do you say such things, child? Accusing your father like that is dangerous.”
“How many are there?”
The smile faded and he clasped his arms behind his back. Lines returned to his face, etched deep along his forehead and around his mouth. “Jyoti.”
“You said I was the only one. The only one! Father, what have you done?” My heart pounded in my chest, bile rising in my thorat. “You said the experiments ended because none other would work. No hybrids survived but me because of the griffin…”
“Griffin blood gave you an edge that any other natural born hybrid did not and could not mimic. Our greatest minds attempted to find a solution. They did.” His silver eyes bore into mine, almost black in the depth of pain he tried to convey. “Our race would have died without the hybrids.”
“You let them use me? My blood?”
“The only pure, natural hybrid alive.”
My heart ceased its incessant pounding, in fact it stilled completely. Where heat had burned my veins and flesh now felt chilled and dead. “How many?”
“Approximately one hundred.”
*~*
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*~*
by Sarah | Mar 10, 2013 | Books, Hybrid, Tuesday Tales, Writing
The prompt this week is a picture prompt and it was author’s choice. Soon as I saw this image I knew how to end the first chapter of this story. Hard to believe just a few weeks of Tuesday Tales has brought me almost 3000 words and one full chapter into a story that as yet remains untitled.
Remember, this is a meme with many contributing authors, so make sure to click the link at the bottom of the image to take you to see more!
Anyhow, as always this is un-edited mostly, so forgive any errors. :
Jdyne remained quiet. The thin human veneer he wore sagged into tired lines. Silver-streaked gray hair quivered in the breeze as he leaned his hand on his knee.
I didn’t know what else to say. My responsibility was clear, but to leave the life I’d formed, the family I’d grown attached to still weighed on me. “Who will protect them?”
“Hm?” My father shook out of his reverie. “The humans? It won’t get that far, if we handle it well.”
“Alatus will not play by the rules.”
“Very true.” A screech broke through the hum of wind, the phoenix appearing in a flash, bright red against the purple sky. It glided down to rest on Jdyne’s shoulder. “What are you suggesting?”
“I don’t know that I’m suggesting anything specific. However, the elders should face that Alatus is likely to involve humans.” When the phoenix bowed to me, I lifted a finger to run it along his forehead. Licks of flame traveled along the lines of my hand like a caress.
“You will come with me to speak with them. You are one of the best warriors and the best tactician we have. They will listen to your ideas.”
I pursed my lips and dropped my hand, “What of Darren and the children?”
“They won’t even know you’re gone.” He turned his now bright silver eyes on me. “Come, child.”
With a sigh, I set my hand on his and walked down the dune toward what had been the center of town. A wave of his arm brought a strong enough wind to sweep away the sand. Behind the dune sat a stone door frame, the door itself wrought like iron, but out of liquid silver. The doors already hung open, revealing the mountains of home.
I nodded and together we stepped through the gates home.
*~*
Hope you enjoyed it! Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!!
*~*
by Sarah | Feb 24, 2013 | Books, Hybrid, Tuesday Tales, Writing
Another Tuesday Tales, the same story – still without a title.
The prompt this week is sand – and I knew immediately what I would do.
Remember, this is a meme with many contributing authors, so make sure to click the link at the bottom of the image to take you to see more!
Anyhow, as always this is un-edited mostly, so forgive any errors. :
With a heavy heart and a heap of trepidation I opened my eyes. The devastation before me wrenched my heart down to my stomach. Ancient stone buildings lay in ruin. Sand swept across them, drifting up until most of the destruction was little more than tall dunes in a vast desert.
“Kryztalia. It couldn’t be.” Even through my denial I knew it was true. I recognized the destroyed town on instinct alone, for nothing of familiarity could be seen.
“It is, Jyoti. All of the citizens were killed in the blink of an eye.” My father trudged forward through the sand, climbing a dune to the evidence of stone peeking out from the top of it. “Kryztalia gone.”
“Who would have done such a thing?” Before he could respond the answer sank into my consciousness. “The Vanggars?”
“Very astute, Jyoti.”
“But they were our allies throughout the wars.” I followed his path up the dune, pausing beside him to survey the land. Far as the eye could see was sand and ruin, where once vegetation and even a river had flowed. Hot wind ruffled my human hair, and soothed the sting of my hand. “Why attack now?”
“The new prince was unhappy with my answer to his request.”
“That is why you require me? What was his request…me?”
“It is Alatus Vanggar. What do you think?”
“I think that he is a selfish brat that acts as though he’s a one-hundred year old youngling.” I lifted my chin. “You cannot believe that I would return for this. For him. A match made in fiery hell just to appease a spoiled child-man.”
“Not at all. I believed you would return to help us fight. The spoiled youngling, as you call him, has a vast appeal and charm.”
“Snake oil salesman.”
My father chuckled, “You always did like the old west, Jyoti. You date even yourself using that term.”
“I don’t care. So what you’re telling me is that he has used charm to gain followers.”
“Those who have forgotten what happened eons ago, or are itching for a new fight, and then there are the younglings eager to rush to his promises.”
“Which has made him capable of great devastation in little time.”
“Precisely.”
I inhaled the hot air, letting it fill my lungs. They pulsed within my chest at the heated boost before I blew out the air. “Are you really wanting to fight again?”
“I’ve tried politics, I’ve tried reason. That’s why I’ve waited so long to tell you.”
“Good King Jdyne. So tired of battle, he chooses words.”
“We were all tired of battle.”
“I remember. I was rather enjoying peace.”
*~*
Hope you enjoyed it! Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!!
*~*
by Sarah | Feb 17, 2013 | Hybrid, Tuesday Tales, Writing
Another Tuesday Tales, the same story – still without a title.
The prompt this week is spider, and I used it REALLY early on because I had no idea how to fit it into the story.
Remember, this is a meme with many contributing authors, so make sure to click the link at the bottom of the image to take you to see more!
Anyhow, as always this is un-edited mostly, so forgive any errors. :
“You want me to die. Simple as that. No explanation required?” I scoffed and folded my arms across my chest. “And what’s in the box? What plague have you brought me?”
“I’m not quite sure. It could be as simple as a spider or as complex as a simulated virus. I only asked that it not be painful for you.” My father continued to hold the box in front of me, I could feel the smoldering power of his will pressing on me.
“Impossible. I have settled in here. I’m attached to this family. The children.”
“They are not yours. It should be of little consequence.”
“Do you think me completely heartless?” My pulse started to race. The ambient temperature rising further, my hand once again burning. I stepped back from the offending red box. “Unlike you I care about them.”
“You’ve been known to be plenty heartless when the need called for it. I’ve seen you slay young ones weaker than those two.” He pointed at the family portrait on the wall. “When the need called for it.”
Tears welled up behind my ears, dousing some of the rising heat of my soul. I shook my head, “Never on purpose. They were casualties of war. A war I fought and survived just as you did, Father.”
“And now we must do everything in our power to maintain that peace. If war erupts again those two children and this entire world could be at risk of another annihilation.”
“Don’t be so dramatic. That hasn’t happened since the dinosaurs were wiped out. Millions of years, Father.”
“Jyoti. Have you ever known me to exaggerate?” His silver hair gleamed in a stray beam of sunlight as wind picked up outside. The planes of his human features shimmered with hints of silver under the flesh. His disguise had been hastily and not quite thoroughly formed. Even the gray eyes gleamed with hidden fire.
Concern lodged a lump of emotion thick in my throat. My father was many things, melodramatic was not one of them. “What has happened?”
“I’ll show you.”
I jerked my hand back from his reach. “I will maintain this form.”
He sighed and nodded. “Fine. For now you will.” The red box disappeared in a burst of fire.
Still hesitant, I set my hand into his and stepped close to him.
In another burst of fire my living room faded to black and all I could feel was the burn of fire and wind as we moved fast. I closed my eyes, soaking in the heat in a way I hadn’t enjoyed for fifteen years.
“You miss it.” His voice was warm and kind again. “Why do you fight?”
“Of course I miss it. It is where I am from, what I am. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the life I have now. My home, my family, my friends. Being human is not as tedious as you make it to me.” I still refused to open my eyes, even as the fire faded and the world around us came into reality again.
“Look, Jyoti.”
Opening my eyes might mean being swayed to his point of view. My nails dug into his flesh until the thin layer cracked under the pressure and scales resisted the same fate.
“You must, child.”
*~*
Hope you enjoyed it! Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!!
*~*
by Sarah | Feb 10, 2013 | Books, Hybrid, Tuesday Tales, Writing
Another Tuesday Tales, the same story – still without a title. I thought I’d reveal what they are in this one, but with only 300 words to play with…well, it just wasn’t happening. Hopefully next week.
There is a tiny little time jump for this one in order to make it fit with the assigned image, but really nothing happened, so it’s just a scene break 🙂
Remember, this is a meme with many contributing authors, so make sure to click the link at the bottom of the image to take you to see more!
Anyhow, as always this is un-edited mostly, so forgive any errors. :
The markings on my hand tingled. Itching fire crept along every line until it flamed bright red against my flesh. Just when I was certain the flesh would peel back to reveal what was beneath the flame cooled.
I rose from the couch, not sure if he’d arrive as a human or magically appear. But he was close. The ambient temperature rose enough that I began to wonder if the burning in my hand had truly died down or my body temperature just rose to match the coming flames of hell.
With a squeal of tires a fire-red corvette ripped into the driveway.
“Daddy dearest. How kind of you to call.” I knew he’d hear me over the engine. He’d probably hear me from the next town if he tried.
Sure enough the inappropriately distinguished gray-haired gentleman in the car looked right at me through the sheer curtains that covered my picture windows. Damn third sight. Mine could be useful, but his was just annoying.
“Forget it.” With my hands on my hips, I shook my head at him as he got out of the car. “I’m not doing it.”
“If there was any choice, I wouldn’t make you.” He didn’t even bother to knock, walked right in my unlocked door. Thankfully he didn’t bother with even a cursory greeting as my skin already tingled from his proximity.
“There’s always a choice.”
“No, Jyoti.”
“I am Carolyn.” I stormed after him. “In this life, on my vacation I’m Carolyn. I did my part. I fought the battles. I defended our territory.”
“And now you must preserve it, or else we all perish. You’re the key, Jyoti.” He turned, cradling the small red box that had been in the package in his hands. “You must die to keep us alive.”
*~*
Hope you enjoyed it! Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!!
*~*
by Sarah | Feb 3, 2013 | Books, Challenge, Hybrid, Tuesday Tales, Writing
Another Tuesday Tales, the same story – still without a title. It’ll come to me eventually, I suppose. I give a couple of hints into WHAT Carolyn is, but still don’t spill the beans completely. I believe the next foray into this world will answer it for you…but I can’t be sure until it’s written. 🙂 I do know that a couple of times during this bit I tried to slip back into 3rd person. Still not used to this first person stuff.
Remember, this is a meme with many contributing authors, so make sure to click the link at the bottom of the image to take you to see more!
Anyhow, as always this is un-edited mostly, so forgive any errors. :
I got to my feet and carried the box into the kitchen. For a few minutes I could do nothing but stare at it sitting on my table. Whatever was in that box could, and likely would, ruin the busy life I had now — only to make it more chaotic. I’d done my time, earned this vacation. With trepidation I dug the scissors out of our ‘junk’ drawer and sliced open the tape.
It didn’t matter if I could have sliced it open myself. Without direct orders I’d stay human as long as possible.
Brown shredded paper provided a buffer against bouncing. The assembly shunned many modern conveniences like packing peanuts. It now was suspect, the delivery truck and man might not have been anything more than my phoenix spy outside. Crafty creatures like that could imitate a great many sounds.
I sighed. No point in delaying any longer. I yanked out the shredded paper and it drifted like snow to my spotless bamboo floor. A plain white envelope sat on top of something. The stamped crest was made of pure liquid silver, set by cooling to earth’s temperature and removed only by fire itself. Not known to humans, only our kind knew of its location and existence.
Two dragons curved along the shield, their tails entwined, noses touching. The face of the shield held a griffin with wings unfurled. Habit brought my hand to my chest where my pendant hung hidden below my shirt. Solid silver, heavy daily reminder of how many years before my molt would occur.
So far in this incarnation I’d worn it every day, it had helped me appreciate the short span of time I’d have. After so many years it became easy to take a vacation as a human for granted. After all, thirty years is nothing when you’ve had eons.
I pulled my hand from the pendant and ran my fingertips along the lines of the crest. Once again I’d have to shed a bit of humanity to open it. They knew it, that’s why they’d used liquid silver.
A scream jolted through me and the envelope toppled to the table. My heart pounded in my chest as I glared at the hawk perched outside my window. While I’d ended use of my third-sight, I had no doubt he was the same phoenix from out front. “For an animal with a life as long as mine you are exceedingly impatient. I’m opening it. Go return and tell them as much. Nosy bird.”
Its beak opened and a staccato of shrieks echoed out, a loud and very poor imitation of laughter. “Glad you’re enjoying yourself.”
I grabbed the envelope again and stretched out my neck. Doing this would leave my hand marked for days. I’d have to feign an injury so Darren wouldn’t know. Maybe I could keep it down to one finger.
Eyed closed I focused on the burning heat in the base of my spine and let it build into a small flame. Under careful guidance the flame worked its way along my bones and into my veins down to my finger.
Pain let me know the shift was happening, but I kept my eyes closed. I’d much rather let instinct tell me the silver had melted than the visual of the matter.
Once the flap of the envelope popped up I pulled my finger back. It took ten times more concentration to rein in the heat and return it to my source. My index finger throbbed and when I opened my eyes it looked like someone had fun with a tattoo gun over half my hand. Lines wove together into something akin to a Henna tattoo, with both elaborate designs and the scallops of scales.
If only I was still single I could leave them.
No matter, I’d cover it later. For now, the letter had to have priority. I pulled out the thick card-stock and flipped it over. My own fathers elegant script scrolled along the card. A message and a command.
Emergency. Inside the box is your excuse. You will not be able to return.
“Bullshit.” I threw down the card. “I won’t do it. You tell him.”
My tattooed hand jerked toward the bird outside my window. “You tell him that I won’t leave so that I can’t return. I won’t molt so easily. Tell him.”
The bird let out a shrill scream before lifting into the air.
Sure I’d be in trouble. But I’d be damned if I’d be ordered around that easy.
*~*
Side note, to see approximately what Carolyn’s hand looks like after this little incident, it’s something like this:
http://blog.bodycandy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Henna-Tattooing.jpg
(I’m linking to the image rather than display it as I don’t like displaying any image that isn’t mine on the blog. Click over, though…it’s pretty cool)
Hope you enjoyed it! Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!!
*~*
The prompt this week was Tight. I finally managed to name this bad-boy…and she will be henceforth called Hybrid (at least until I decide to hate it and change it).
