When I lifted my lashes, it was to see a man at a nearby table watching me. His cup hovered halfway between his mouth and the table as he stared with hunger in his eyes. I smiled at him, winking flirtatiously before slowly licking my lower lip. He swallowed hard and shifted in his seat. I chuckled, turning back to my coffee.
Read MoreAs I watched, I noticed the people inside. I wanted to walk closer, but I couldn’t move. I strained my eyes to see through the window, noticing an older woman and a young girl. As I stared in their direction, the older woman jerked her head around and looked directly at me. The shock brought me quickly back to reality.
Read MoreA shadow flies by me. I spin to see a water dragon dive from the sky and into one of the buildings. I bolt towards the building, slamming open the door and running up the steps until I am face to face with the Queen of the Draco de Aqua. Her breathing is harsh, and blood is dripping from the wound on her side. In her arms is a blanket with a little baby’s head poking from it. My heart stops in my chest. A baby. Fuck. He will kill her.
Read More“You are the bandrui of New Orleans,” Matt continued. “You’re responsible for keeping law and order in the spirit world, to stop them from wreaking the same sort of havoc they did when they were alive. You also try to keep other spirits from returning.”
Read More“Hey, girly. Go ahead and cut the cards. Let Zenda read for you,” the woman instructed.
Krista eyed her warily, shaking her head. “That’s okay. I’m just here looking.”
Zenda sucked air in through her teeth. “Girl, you ain’t never gonna learn nothin’ just looking.” She pushed the stack of cards closer to the edge.
We meet in the middle like the perfect storm, his claws raking down my side as I go for his jugular. I come away with a mouthful of fur before ducking under his next blow to take a chunk out of his side. A high-pitched giggle bubbles up from me as I dart just out of reach, again and again, watching with satisfaction as he begins to tire. Stamina is a hyena’s best friend.
Read MoreFrom this point on, the world comes to me in flashes—slipping through the Deep Ellum district’s alleys like a panther’s shadow… the cry of a girl in trouble… her mad screams and the receding click of her heels as I fall upon her attacker like a ravenous beast.
Read MoreThere is a long silence as I watch him attempt to grasp the situation. For a moment, comprehension fills his eyes, like a light flickering in the attic. It is short-lived, the bulb faulty, and his eyes grow vacant again.
Read MoreI flicked the whip around, letting the silver catch the moonlight. Valen’s gift was keeping the wolves at bay until one of them got brave and charged me. I only had little time to train with it, but the hiss of the silver interacting with his skin on his arm was enough to give the others pause.
Read MoreHe snaps his fingers, spinning on his heel before walking out of the room. The guards follow him, leaving me bleeding open on the ground. I won’t die from these wounds. A dragon can never die unless someone rips their heart out. So, I will just lay here and heal slowly, wishing and praying to the gods that my mother was still here, giving me advice on what to do.
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