Heather Hayden's Blog, page 19

Ensign’s Log, Entry 14: National Poetry Writing Month and Poem #1

It’s April, which means that it is…

National Poetry Writing Month

For those of you unfamiliar with NaPoWriMo, April has been the month for celebrating poetry since 2003, when Maureen Thorson began writing a poem every day for the month of April. NaPoWriMo has a site that explains the origins as well as links to a variety of sites that participate in the annual event.

The goal of NaPoWriMo is to write a poem every day. It doesn’t matter what kind of poem, what the subject matter is, or whether you share it with others or keep it for your own personal enjoyment. If you don’t write poetry, take the time to read a poem (or two, or more) each day.

Here’s my poem for today:

Spring Storm

A clean sweet scent

Rain patters on roof tiles

Whispering of green

Although the promised thunderstorm didn’t arrive today, I did enjoy a brief rainstorm earlier, which inspired this poem… I love the smell of rain in spring.

More poems will be coming! I’m hoping to make it to 30 this year, though I’ll be traveling for most of the month so may not always have internet access. We shall see.

Are you participating in NaPoWriMo this year? What kind of poetry do you like to write?

Ensign’s Log, Entry 13: Final March Month Map Update!

Well, as you can tell from the spread of bunnies, I didn’t quite make it halfway through my month’s goals. Still, I did far better this month than I did in February.

I’m not going to berate myself for not getting more done–you can drive yourself crazy with what ifs and there’s no changing the past, so you’ve got to keep moving forward. (Yes, I decided halfway through that sentence to see how many cliches I could toss in.)

I did make some great progress in terms of critting other people’s novels, including finding another novel that’s quite a lot of fun to read–it reminds me a bit of Good Omens. Humorous, but with an undertone of seriousness.

I also managed to skip a chapter while critiquing a different novel, which has probably led the poor writer to some confusion as I go back to crit the previous chapter(s) (multiple now with revisions). Hopefully my comments won’t be too difficult to sort out… I’m enjoying the story, and felt terrible for making such a mistake!

In other words, I’ve been procrastinating from editing Upgrade by critting other peoples’ novels. At least I’m getting something done, right?

For April, I have a lot of things planned: Camp NaNoWriMo, editing Upgrade, working on the Demons trilogy. I’m also going to be in Ireland for a good portion of the month, so will have the added distractions of family and fun and general emerald isle gorgeousness. But I also think it will be a great source of inspiration for my muse.

Expect an April Month Map tomorrow… I haven’t assembled it yet as I’ve been enjoying my last week in Brooklyn, including going to the Botanical Gardens yesterday–it was so beautiful! I wish I’d had a camera to take pictures of the cherry trees, the magnolias, the koi… I love springtime, and it’s already passing by fast–a couple of months and summer will be here, with heat and bugs…and beach!

And, of course, more writing!

Guest Post: Poetry is Everywhere by Lidy Wilks

It’s National Poetry Writing Month! And in celebration of that, today I have a guest, poet Lidy Wilks. So happy to have you here!

I dabble in poetry at times, but Lidy sees it everywhere, and writes it down. This post is part of her blog tour promoting her new poetry chapbook, Can You Catch My Flow?, which encompasses the thoughts, emotions, and experiences of growing up in a series of poetic snapshots.

Here’s a poem by Lidy, followed by her guest post. Enjoy, and look for some poetry in your life today.

Poetry is Everywhere

Did you know that poetry is everywhere? All you have to do is listen closely. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never read poetry or listened to a poetry reading before. Or that you find poetry boring and archaic. Because you’ve been listening to one form of poetry anyways.

Believe it not, you’re listening to a poem whenever you turn on the radio. Or playing your music playlist on iTunes, your iPod, Pandora, Slacker, Spotify, etc.

Poetry is an art that predates literacy. And told in oral form as a way to retell history, tell stories, talk about politics, reflect on life and death.  Music is just lyrical poems that does the same. They entertain us with stories of love. Talk about loss and self-reflection. They address socio-political concerns too. And all to a beat that gets your body moving.

If you still don’t believe me then here are a few lyrics I’ve gathered. All from songs that’s played over the airwaves and music streaming services:

Hello, can you hear me

I’m in California dreaming about who we used to be

When we were younger and free

I’ve forgotten how it felt before the world fell at our feet

-“Hello”, Adele

Reasons, the reasons that we hear

The reasons that we fear

Our feelings a won’t disappear, ooh

And after the love game has been played

All our illusions were just a parade

And all the reasons start to fade

-“Reasons, Earth, Wind and Fire”, RIP Maurice White

And since we all came from a woman

Got our name from a woman and our game from a woman

I wonder why we take from our women

Why we rape our women, do we hate our women?

I think it’s time to kill for our women

Time to heal our women, be real to our women

And if we don’t we’ll have a race of babies

That will hate the ladies, that make the babies

And since a man can’t make one

He has no right to tell a woman when and where to create one

-“Keep Ya Head Up”, RIP Tupac Shakur

I’m holding on your rope, got me ten feet off the ground

And I’m hearing what you say, but I just can’t make a sound

-“Apologize”, OneRepublic

I raise my flag and dye my clothes

It’s a revolution, I suppose

We’re painted red to fit right in

-“Radioactive”, Imagine Dragons

This is Ground Control

to Major Tom

You’ve really made the grade

And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear

Now it’s time to leave the capsule

if you dare

-“Space Oddity”, RIP David Bowie

Fear not when, fear not why,

Fear not much while were alive,

Life is for living not living up tight,

See ya somewhere up in the sky,

Fear not die, I’ll be alive for a million years, bye bye,

So not for legends, I’m forever young

-“Forever Young”, Jay Z

So no matter what you been through

no matter what you into

no matter what you see when you look outside your window

brown grass or green grass

picket fence or barbed wire

Never ever put them down

you just lift your arms higher

raise em till’ your arms tired

Let em’ know you’re there

That you struggling and survivin’ that you gonna persevere

Yeah, ain’t no body leavin, no body goin’ home

even if they turn the lights out the show is goin’ on!

-“The Show Goes On”, Lupe Fiasco

Why am I so emotional?

No, it’s not a good look, gain some self-control

And deep down I know this never works

But you can lay with me so it doesn’t hurt

-“Stay With Me”, Sam Smith

But tell me, did you sail across the sun?

Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded

And that heaven is overrated?

Tell me, did you fall for a shooting star–

One without a permanent scar?

And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there?

-“Drops of Jupiter”, Train

A summer disregard, a broken bottle top

And a one man soul

They follow each other on the wind ya’ know

‘Cause they got nowhere to go

That’s why I want you to know

I’m starting with the man in the mirror

I’m asking him to change his ways

And no message could have been any clearer

If you want to make the world a better place

Take a look at yourself, and then make a change

-“Man in the Mirror”, RIP Michael Jackson

We’re like a flower to a tree

Like words to a melody of love

There’s no way we could break up

No words that could make us blow our thing

We are just~

Inseparable

-“Inseparable”, RIP Natalie Cole

Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria

Kids want to act like what they see in the cinema

Yo’, whatever happened to the values of humanity

Whatever happened to the fairness in equality

Instead in spreading love we’re spreading animosity

-“Where is the Love?”, The Black Eyed Peas

So what poems are you rocking and bopping your head to?

Poetry is everywhere. I certain enjoy it in music (Imagine Dragons is one of my favorite bands, and Lidy referenced of my favorite songs by them!), and it’s around us in everyday life too–sunlight on a field, mist on the water, the feeling you get when someone you love smiles.

Where do you experience poetry in your life?

About Lidy Wilks

Ever since she was young, Lidy Wilks was often found completely submerged in the worlds of Dickens, Louisa May Alcott, Sweet Valley High and Nancy Drew. She later went on to earn a Bachelor degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing, from Franklin Pierce University. Where she spent the next four years knee deep in fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction workshops.

Lidy is the author of Can You Catch My Flow? a poetry chapbook and is a member of Write by the Rails. She currently resides in Virginia with her husband and two children. And an anime, book and manga library, she’s looking to expand, one day adding an Asian drama DVD collection. Lidy continues her pursuit in writing more poetry collections and fantasy novels. All the while eating milk chocolate and sipping a glass of Cabernet. Or Riesling wine.

Find out more about Lidy through her social media sites: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Blog

Lidy’s Novel…and Rafflecopter Giveaway!

We wake and sleep every day. Growing up, as we must. In Can You Catch My Flow? The everyday ordinary events of the human condition are captured in poetic snapshots. No matter the walks of life, the reader is sure to find themselves within the lines.

Can You Catch My Flow? is a small collection of poetry. It’s a portrayal of thoughts, emotions and experiences when growing up. A rite of passage and nature of the human condition.

Lidy is offering a Rafflecopter giveaway in promotion of her new chapbook. Enter to win a $10 Walmart gift card, a $25 Starbucks gift card, a LG wireless stereo headset, and a wireless stereo Philips shoqbox mini!

 

 

 

Ensign’s Log, Entry 12: March Month Map Update!

Look at those cute bunnies!

They should be multiplying much faster than this, but unfortunately I think Upgrade is only getting one revision this month, as I don’t have enough crits and don’t expect another full set of them before the end of the month to allow for a second revision.

I do hope to make some progress on revising Demon’s Blade, though, which I’m definitely looking forward to!

And I’ve done a lot of other things this month as well… Here’s a quick bullet list of some highlights:

Completed the timeline for Demon’s Blade–and also have some great ideas for changing it to make it even better!
Critiqued a novel on Scribophile (I love this site!) (Also began critting another novel, and have a third to start before the end of the month as well.)
Became more active in several of my Scribophile groups and the forums.
Also became more active in reading blogs and leaving comments (I’m starting to not lurk so much, yay!)
Wrote a guest blog post for Allie’s “A Day in the Life of…” blog series. If you haven’t checked it out yet, definitely do so–they’re great and inspiring stories of how writers find time to write, no matter how hectic their lives are.
Kept to my post schedule (with the occasional slightly belated post) so far this month (much better than last month’s record.)
Read several great books, including HL Burke’s Lands of Ash. (I’m also almost done with City of Blades, which is just as amazing as its predecessor, City of Stairs.)

 

There’s still another third of the month left, so looking forward to getting a lot more done!

How’s your March progress going?

Saturday Shorts: Upgrade Excerpt #2

Belated again this week… But for good reason–I spent yesterday doing lots of work. Critting on Scribophile, editing Upgrade, chores around the house…

At any rate, apologies for the belatedness.

Today I’m sharing another excerpt from Upgrade, the opening of Chapter One. I’ve revised it after some feedback that it wasn’t compelling enough. Hopefully, this opening is more reader-ensnaring!

Once the first chapter’s in perfect shape (still a ways away), I’ll be posting it in its entirety, just as the first chapter of Augment is available to read.

For those of you not familiar with the Augment universe, Viki is an Upgrader, and the main character of the series. The sections in her POV are told in first person. Halle, her friend, is an AI, who had a few chapters in its POV in Augment, and far more chapters in its POV in Upgrade; its POV is told in third person. Agent Smith played a major role in the previous book, and is back in the thick of things again in this book. For the life of me I can’t remember if I actually have any chapters or scenes from his POV in Upgrade, although there were a few in Augment.

The following excerpt is from Viki’s POV.

Upgrade, Chapter One, Excerpt

I glared out my window at the bright blue sky. The last day of summer vacation, and instead of being outside, enjoying the warm sun, I sat at my desk, wishing tomorrow had already arrived.

What sort of an end to summer was that?

My fingers drummed on my thigh, and I glanced at my laptop’s screen. “Halle, is the update done yet?”

The tabby cat sitting in the middle of the desktop yawned and shook its head. “Sorry, Viki, it is still downloading.”

I groaned and rested my forehead on the cool surface of my desk. Sometime last night Realmshards, Halle’s and my favorite game, had released a massive update. With so many players out there, determined to get in one more full day of gaming before homework started piling up, the servers were having trouble keeping up with the demand. Even Halle, who, as an AI, had the ability to tweak things so our copy of the download didn’t stall or fail, couldn’t make it download any faster.

“Perhaps you should go out for a run,” Halle suggested. “It will be some time before Realmshards is ready.”

Normally, I loved running. At the moment, though, the thought of facing the summer heat alone did not appeal to me.

Not for the first time, I fervently wished Neela was still speaking me. Or Annabelle or May, for that matter. But ever since my best friend had accused me of being an Upgrader who’d been Augmented by choice, we hadn’t spoken. Neela didn’t even answer the door when I tried to visit early in the summer. I hadn’t tried again.

Without her to drag me around to parties and the beach and the mall and all the other places we usually hung out during the summer, I spent most of vacation in front of my computer. James was too busy packing for college and working at his summer job to spend much time with me, and Dad and Mom had hectic schedules—him at the research lab and her at the hospital—for most of the season. Halle all but had the kitchen robot drag me outside at times to get some sunshine, but for the first time since I had gotten out of the wheelchair, I was returning to school almost as pale as I had left it.

Not that it mattered. After what had happened, I doubted that many people planned on comparing tans with me.

“Viki?”

I shrugged, a slight heave of my shoulders. “Any messages from James?” He’d left for college a week ago and I’d barely heard anything beyond him having arrived safely.

“Your brother has yet to send a message since the last one was a few days ago. Do you want to send him one?”

“No, he’s probably busy.”

There was a long pause. I finally looked up to find Halle still sitting with its striped tail curled around white paws, ears flicking back and forth.

It cocked its head. “It is the last day of summer vacation. Usually you celebrate by doing something special. Why not do something to take your mind off tomorrow?”

“Like what?” I grumbled. “It’s not like you can walk out of the computer and go to the beach with me, and I have no one else to hang out with.”

“No, I cannot.” There was a hint of sadness in Halle’s voice, and I winced. Sometimes, I had a feeling my friend regretted its incorporeal form. I could understand; I remembered what it was like to be unable to move under my own motivation. My hand brushed against my right knee. Running was pretty much the only thing that got me outside this summer, and usually only in the early morning or late evening. During the hottest hours of the day, the last thing I’d wanted to be doing was working up a sweat, since I’d want to go to the beach to cool off, and there was no one to hang out with there. And, knowing my luck, I probably would bump into Neela and the others there if I went by myself.

Halle’s tail twitched. “You should find new friends to spend time with.”

“It’s not that easy,” I said. We’d had this conversation multiple times, and it always went the same way. “Everyone knows who I am.” Even though the Government released a statement saying there had been a mistake, and I hadn’t actually augmented myself, there were still many who didn’t believe it. Neela being one.

“In Snowvale, yes, but outside of Snowvale, most people probably would not remember you. It has been several months, and you are not the only one who has been accused of Augmenting or Upgrading illegally.”

“I know, but if they haven’t already heard about me, someone’s going to tell them.” I could recall all too easily how the last term ended. My coach kicked me off the track team, right before our big meet. If that wasn’t horrible enough, everyone avoided me in class, in the hall, even in the cafeteria. It was just like my childhood all over again, when I was in the wheelchair, the kid who should be pitied from a distance. Except this time, Neela wasn’t there to help me. She was on the other side of the line. And it wasn’t pity being thrown my way, but disgust.

“Not everyone is going to care about a rumor,” Halle said.

Bouncy dance music burst from my computer speakers, and I jumped, nearly falling out of my chair. “Halle! You startled me.”

The cat pranced about the screen. “You should cheer up. I will have the kitchen robot make cake, and I have sent James a message to see if he is available to chat.”

“You shouldn’t bother him. He probably has homework to do.” I grimaced. Yet another thing I wasn’t looking forward to. I would be a junior this year, which meant thinking about tests required by college admissions, the yearbook, prom, and other senior-related things, with loads more homework on top of all of that.

The dance music cut out, and Halle stopped dancing, its tabby colors fading to a muddy brown. “You…have a message.”

I frowned, wondering why my friend seemed reluctant to pass it on. “James didn’t yell at you, did he?” Ever since learning about Halle’s existence, my family had accepted its presence to various degrees. James treated it like having another sibling, one that lived in the Cloud and was capable of learning practically anything. Unfortunately, James sometimes clashed with Halle regarding its know-it-all tendencies. There had been more than one shouting match between my brother and the house’s speakers.

“No. It is not from James.”

“Who is it, then?” I couldn’t help but let my hopes rise a little—it wouldn’t be Mom or Dad. Could it possibly be Neela? Perhaps she had finally decided to forgive me. Not that there was anything to forgive—I hadn’t asked to be augmented, a fact she refused to believe despite all available evidence. Her lack of trust still stung, but I hoped our friendship could be salvaged.

“It is from Agent Smith,” Halle said.

My hopes crumbled and fell, a sudden weight in my stomach. I licked my lips and swallowed, fingers tapping on the desk’s surface. “What does he want?”

“He wants to meet with you. With both of us, in fact. Today.” Halle’s voice shook a little bit. Unsurprising, given that the last time we crossed paths with the government agent, Halle almost died.

“Did he say why?”

“No.”

“He better not be trying to get you back again.” My fingers curled into fists, and I shoved away from the desk, sitting up in my chair. “When does he want to see us?”

“Right now, actually. He is standing outside.”

No time to prepare. Another brick landed on the already heavy weight in my stomach. Still, if we refused to see him, what would he do? What could he do? Halle was free. It was never going to let itself get taken again, and if it needed to, it could escape easily. I, on the other hand, had my family to worry about. I clenched my teeth. The Government would not hesitate to threaten my family, of that I had no doubt. Not after they used me for bait a few months ago to capture my biological parents.

“Fine,” I said. “Let’s see what he has to say.”

Ensign’s Log, Entry 11: Pi Day Number Crunch, or the Post That Almost Wasn’t

Yeah, the post title’s a bit of a long one. But necessary, today. Because unlike other days when posts have been late (or completely forgotten to be posted on another day), this post was already partially planned (in my head anyways), but almost didn’t get made because a certain author was not careful about her drink placement this morning.

Yes, I finally spilled something on my laptop keyboard. Cue repeated head-desking and face-palming.

It’s just water, though, so should be fine, but I’m not taking any chances and given it a good long time to dry out before I put it back together. Thankfully, I have a good friend who is loaning me his laptop so I can write this post.

So, without further ado, on to the Pi Day Number Crunching!

This is my first Number Crunch post. Not entirely sure what I’m doing, but let’s just jump right in! Mostly, this will be a list of different things, with a corresponding number to it, and hopefully understandable as is.

2016 March 14th Number Crunch

(numbers are from January 1st to March 14th, 2016)

Writing

Number of chapters posted for critique: 20

Number of timelines completed: 2

Number of first drafts completed: 1

Number of first drafts started: 1

Critiquing

Number of chapters (including complete novels) critiqued: 52

Number of chapters (outside of complete novels) critiqued: 20

Number of novels critiqued: 2

Blogging

Total number of comments: 56

Total number of posts: 21

Saturday Shorts posts: 11

Ensign’s Log posts: 5 (counting this one)

Number of subscribers to newsletter: 5

Book review posts: 3

Other

Number of passwords reset to write this post: 3

Number of mugs of water spilled on keyboard: 1

 

In future Number Crunch posts, I hope to be able to report sales figures! That will have to wait until I’ve begun to market my books and started making sales, though. However, for a first Number Crunch post, I’m satisfied with the figures. Yes, I should have more blog posts, but I’m working on being more consistent with those. I should also pick up my game with completing drafts/editing drafts (you’ll notice that there’s no Editing category–that’s because I haven’t gotten any editing done yet this year!) But I’ve definitely made some good progress, and when I do my next Number Crunch post, probably in June, I’ll have a lot more to report!

Are you pleased with your numbers so far this year? Have you ever made a Number Crunch post? Are there any other categories/sub-categories you’d like to see me report on in the future?

Magic Monday: Lands of Ash by HL Burke

Once a month I post a book review for a fantasy novel that I’ve read in the recent past. These reviews are posted on “Magic Monday”, the second Monday of every month.

Cover courtesy of HL Burke @ hlburkeauthor.com

Today I’m reviewing Lands of Ash by HL Burke, a fantasy novella for young adults (and adults who enjoy a good fantasy).

I should give a brief disclaimer before I continue with this review… I do know HL Burke. However, she did not solicit this book review. I’m reviewing it because I enjoyed the book.

Lands of Ash slips from one POV to another, though the main characters are definitely Captain Karvir and his brother Ketyl, who take the brightest spotlights. Karvir’s wife, Willa, also plays a role, as done young Brode, a boy whose journey at first doesn’t seem to be part of Karvir and Ketyl’s tale.

The story is set in a world on the brink of destruction–cliche phrasing, I know, but humanity really is about to fall thanks to the relentless attacks of the Elementals. Specifically, the Fire Elementals. Humanity lives in the Convergence plane, so named for being the place were all the elements mix; there are four other planes to which portals can be opened…but only by the portal keeper. With only one portal keeper alive at a time, and the Fire Elementals having the current one, it’s been easy for the Elementals to slowly consume everything green and beautiful.

It took me a couple of starts to get into the story, first, because I was busy with things, then because my Kindle was misplaced, but I’m so glad I finally read it, because it definitely stands on par with Burke’s other wonderful books, such as Beggar Magic. However, unlike some of her other books, this is definitely for teens, not kids, and it has a dark side… Be prepared for heartbreak. But also be prepared for laughter, and love, and light–not firelight, but the light of courage, of people striving against a vast and dangerous enemy force to survive.

Brode, and later his younger sibling, capture the war through the eyes of children who are forced to grow up far too fast. The same can be said for Karvir’s daughters, who, along with their mother, must stay strong when their father is summoned to fight in the greatest battle yet. Karvir and Ketyl offer their own views of the war, whether they fight to protect or fight for vengeance, they fight with all their spirit. And dear Willa, loved by so many, who is empathetic and thus cannot fight (she can heal, though, and does it well), does her best to hold everyone together, even when things are at their bleakest.

The concepts behind the story, of Elementals and portals and other planes, are all things that have been done before. Burke, however, adds her own touches to the ideas, and more importantly, she tells the story through the eyes of a variety of people–some of whom you will love, some of whom you will hate, all of whom are as real as the heat of a blazing fire.

In conclusion, Lands of Ash is one of the best books I’ve read in the recent past, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading the sequel Call of the Waters.

Intrigued? Lands of Ash is available on Amazon. You can also learn more about HL Burke and her stories through her blog.

Thoughts? Comments? Let me know below!

Saturday Shorts: The End is Only the Beginning

This should have been up yesterday, but I was busy walking across a good part of Manhattan and completely spaced. Whoops!

Another little drabble for this week… Somewhat related to the image as well.

The End is Only the Beginning

I type the last few characters to end a story that took half a year to write, and the mixed feeling of relief and sadness turns to horror as a sequel begins to form in my mind.

Ensign’s Log, Entry 10: March Month Map!

Welcome to March! It’s the third month of the year, that time where, in some parts of the world, the snow is finally receding and birds, grass, and flowers are reappearing. Given that it snowed yesterday, it’s not quite spring yet here, but the month still has that renewal feel to it. Which is good, because I’m in major need of renewing!

As is clear from my decided lack of posts last month, February kind of went up in metaphorical flames.

Somewhat crappy graphic, but a pretty good image for describing how February’s plans went. Which is really too bad, since January was such a strong start!

However, March, and spring, is a time of renewal, and that means I’m going in with a renewed sense of purpose, determined to get the goals for the month done in a timely manner. And with that in mind, here’s my March Month Map!

Isn’t it a cute little bunny?

I’ve decided that this month, the bunny will duplicate, with one appearing next to each goal as I complete it. If there are six bunnies at the end of the month, I’ll treat myself to something cool. What exactly, I don’t know yet. Maybe a pile of new books.

At any rate, though the past is still smouldering embers, I’m looking toward the green grass in the distance and moving forward.

Saturday Shorts: Demon’s Blade, Excerpt #1

Today I’m sharing an excerpt from Demon’s Blade, the first in my YA fantasy trilogy. Demon’s Blade is currently in the revision process, with the goal being to release it in June.

Here’s the old, crappy summary of the novel, which will give you a brief idea of the main characters:

As a bounty hunter, Ava leads an adventurous life hunting dangerous demons. However, she may have met her match in Lucifuge Rofocal, a rare force demon. At first hired to deal with Luce, Ava soon learns his rough exterior hides a demon who believes in honor, unusual for a Hell denizen. Luce is no ordinary demon, though. He is an archdemon on the run from Hell, and when his powerful demon-slaying sword disappears, Ava’s curiosity gets her caught up in his troubles. Now these two unlikely companions must locate the sword before it falls into the wrong hands, and that task will be all the more difficult as the demons hunting Luce begin to close in.

So many words! Definitely going to need to work on paring that summary down. That’s not a task for today, however.

The following snip is a short anecdote from an early chapter, not long after Ava and Luce begin traveling together.

Demon’s Blade, Excerpt #1

“What kind of a demon are you?” Luce asked, leaning close, red eyes scrutinizing her face closely. “Your mark is prominent, but your appearance almost normal, save for this magic you wield. How did you acquire it?”

Ava shrugged and pushed him away. “That is really none of your business.” Glancing at the sky, she quickened her pace. “We need to move faster, there is a storm coming.”

Luce glanced up at the clear blue sky. “What do you mean, there’s a storm coming?”

“It’s coming.” Ava sniffed the air. “You should smell it even more than I can.”

“Just because I’m beast form doesn’t mean I have heightened senses.”

“But do you?”

The force demon shrugged and took a sniff of the air. “I don’t smell anything strange.”

“How long have you been traveling in these parts?”

“A few months.” He sounded a bit unsure.

Ava thought back and nodded. “Snow started falling about a month ago. You are probably used to the scent by now.”

“Does it matter? You know these parts, so find the nearest town.”

Ava glared at him.

“Please,” he amended, with a resigned gaze. “Excuse my abruptness, I have simply spent too much time outside in this bloody cold.”

“Of course, you are no doubt used to much warmer places,” she said, wearing an innocent look when he glanced at her, one eyebrow raised.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You tell me.” Ava moved forward, lifting her boots high out of the snow. “Come on, we need to keep moving. Might get another foot tonight, and that will make traveling more difficult.”

“More than this?” Luce nodded and began to stride forward, only to trip on a rock buried beneath the snow. His tumble nearly took Ava down as well.

Jumping out of the way, Ava landed against a tree, knocking down a heavy clump of snow from the branches overhead. Sputtering, she shook her head, brushing snow from her hair as she stepped away from the tree and looked for signs of her companion in the scuffled snow. There was no movement.