Laina choked. The burning in her throat intensified. Talons dug at her collarbone and scratched their way up her neck. Wrists compressed against the floor, she stretched her trembling fingertips across the gritty linoleum. She gulped a breath. Tarry smoke laced with a hint of sulfur gusted into her nose and mouth,…
The chain scorched Laina's fingers as she lifted the pendant over her head and its links clawed at her hair. The medallion throbbed and its gem blinked like a viper eye. She boggled it from her grasp and off her lap. The floor shuddered at the amulet's impact. Shadows flew past the windows, swirling…
A shaft of the hallway light kissed the tops of his shoulders, giving Arden an ethereal glow. Laina folded her arms. "What on earth made you think I came to visit Simmy?" "We call this area the Cauldron for a reason. Folks come here for drugs or the occult. I can…
A shaft of the hallway light kissed the tops of his shoulders, giving Arden an ethereal glow. Laina folded her arms. "What on earth made you think I came to visit Simmy?" "We call this area the Cauldron for a reason. Folks come here for drugs or the occult. I can…
Laina scanned the lavender ribbon of sky between the buildings. How long had she been in Simmy's shop? The mechanical sigh of a heavy brakes summoned her toward the street. She hustled down the dank alley. Her feet struck the sidewalk just as the city bus pulled away from the curb.…
Simmy curled his long-nailed fingers around the chain at her neck. The fiery metal burned against her skin as he drew the amulet out. "What do you want with it?" Laina pressed the chain against her chest and recoiled. He let it slip from his grasp and slowly lifted his gaze to…
The echo of Laina's steps grew louder as she ventured farther into the alley. The chill intensified, as did smells of urine mingled with traces of cheap rum. She pulled her scarf over the lower half of her face. Layered graffiti webbed the building walls to her right and left with an…
The bus wheeze-squeaked its departure as soon as Laina's boot heel hit the curb. Graffiti tattooed the dingy bodies of buildings and passers-by alike. Half-dressed toddlers screamed from the hips of terse-lipped teenagers. A frigid breeze whipped a fringe of ragged towels and stained clothing on the firescapes. Shoes dangled from their…
"Thanks for the ride." Laina entered her apartment and turned to face Rory. "Goodnight." "You sure you don't want me to stay a while?" The starched collar of his indigo shirt gave a faint rustle as he leaned against the inner frame of the doorway. The scent of his musky-pine cologne…
Laina stirred her float and studied its milky spirals. Greasy aromas flooded the diner, so she could almost taste the burger she ordered--she glanced at her watch--twenty minutes ago. "Got another date later?" Rory asked. "Huh?" She looked up from the entrancing eddies of her root beer. He propped his elbows…