Thalia bounced in at that moment. “No creases allowed! Unless it’s in whatever Artemis is wearing. Who’s creasing?” Calypso giggled. “No one, I’ll lie across the back seat until the camera lenses appear.” There was a knock at the door, Thalia opened it to find Dionysus on the other side. “Pre-party fun, courtesy of the …
On work-from-home days, Halley spent her lunch breaks in the park. Unless it was raining or otherwise evil weather – then she’d go to a café. It got her away from the computer, away from her flatmates’ work vents, away from the ‘could you justs’ and ‘if you have a moments’. It was her time …
Amy Tang trudged her way along the eight peaks of the Kowloon Peninsula. Legend was that if you traversed the eight dragons on the first day of the Lunar New Year, you might meet the ninth dragon. The legend was as true as most, complete fabrication, and this one more honest than most in its …
Lyra found herself the focus of the prince’s attention again. He looked her over. “I prefer this dress to the last, but it’s still not quite right. I feel I must properly test my dressmaker’s mettle.” She clenched her teeth in a too-bright smile. “You’re going to ask her to create a court dress out …
It is so strange to suddenly be surrounded by a family who likes me. I can see Uncle and Johanna near choking as I stroll by on the arm of the future queen and share jokes with the king at dinner. Not that they can hear what we’re saying. Uncle’s seats are a long way …
Saturday morning brought a slowly waking smile until she remembered. She wasn’t with Herne. She hadn’t heard from him all week, not even her daily photos. By the time the promised car arrived, she’d been ready and prowling the flat for over an hour. She had rehearsed her presentation for Monday twice and backed up …
Ari kept to the shadows as she moved through the streets of the lower town. It was easy enough, this wasn’t the rich end of town, with its wide avenues and gas-lit street lamps. Here, a neighbourhood was lucky to boast a single, guttering lamp at the edge of whatever square held the communal well. …
Revered Priestess Thank you for your communication regarding our previous queries as to your kind offer to take Eleanor as an acolyte in the goddess's desert temple. I'm afraid your response of 'she'll simply have to grow up and get her imagination under control' did not meet with approval from any of us. You see, …
The evening before the second dinner party, as Khalik was checking the guest list and issuing conflicting orders to Maryam and Orlan, the half-expected box of soaps, oils, cosmetics, and instructions arrived. Lyra had already told Anissa and the head pharmacist she would be unavailable for two days. They had lowered their eyes and said …
They walked into the house, the three mastiffs trotting at their heels. Persephone guided her through to a large, bright kitchen at the back of the house, with picture windows looking out onto more lawns, flowers, and a lake with an island and a folly. She prodded Psyche into a chair at a farmhouse-style table …
The DNA of Stories 