The glass shattered on the cold, marble tiles, but nobody looked at it, or the girl who's nerveless fingers had let it slip. All eyes were on the man in the doorway, surveying the room with cool contempt. It was his cousin who broke the silence. "Stephen, you survived. Thank the spirits!" Stephen raised a …
There they were, just the two of them. Away from families and friends and expectations. Just them, just now. No past, probably no future. She put that from her mind. Right now, the most important thing to do was focus and savour this one, perfect moment in time. She looked up from the eggs she …
No sooner do I address the issue of my cardigan, then something else decides it needs mending. In this case, my roof. I don’t know who or what has been dancing on it, but the slate tiles are not looking the way they should. I have a few pointed questions for the bees. There’s no …
You kidnap the King of a large country and hold him for ransom. You are shocked when you receive twice what you asked for from them with a single note reading: 'Twice the amount to make sure he never comes back' Shaya kicked back from the kitchen table and sauntered over to the front door, …
I spent the morning in the garden, my roses were overdue for a bit of a trim, and while weeds weren’t plentiful, it was always better to act early rather than late. Of course, with that kind of job, only half my time was spent outside. The other half was spent dealing with the ‘harvest’. …
You are a small god, with very little power or influence. But you are happy, and take care of your few worshippers as much as you are able. An extraordinarily powerful being stumbles bloodied into your sacred place, and cries “Sanctuary.” Jaeshra was sweeping the forecourt of her temple. It was a task far beneath …
Conversational maxims – quality, quantity, relevance and clarity – violate at least one in each exchange. Not sure I managed to stick to this exercise from the 100 Day Challenge but I had fun... A merry-looking older man, blue eyes twinkling under grimy brows, plonked himself on the bench facing Alec and Nathan. Alec leaned …
Delauney wove through the lunchtime crowds, dodging tourists and unimpressed locals. One more block. One more block and she’d be at David’s office building. Then she’d be safe. She glanced at reflections in shop windows as she passed. The man was still following her. Was definitely following her. It wasn’t a coincidence, he was too …
The day dawned bright and cool and I gave myself the morning off. I had an appointment in the afternoon and decided any but the most pressing chores could wait until tomorrow. And there would be chores, not the least the annoyance of having used up almost my entire stock of rosemary and sandalwood candles …
Lord Danbury walked out of the room, and Anna could hear him speaking in the hallway. He was answered by their footman, and another male voice she didn't recognise. Probably the steward; Seb wasn't going to get another chance to climb out a window, at least not until he got to whatever country house was …
The DNA of Stories 