“Teresa!” I twisted looking behind me to the caller. Cassie stood below her hand raised as she shielded her eyes against the light. Between her and me was a wall of shrubbery. She wouldn’t be able to see me yet and I wasn’t going to call back.
Late
The wind whipped around me as I stared at the path. Where was the girl? “Can we still wait?” Sevela asked beside me. Stars. If that girl couldn’t read minds. I looked at her and the rest gathered about the grave. They clumped in groups away from the coffin.
Leaving
Nadie clutched her bag’s strap tightly as she stood at the end of the platform. The train belched steam as it disappeared around the bend ahead. She’d missed it. A thin layer of water covered the tracks.
Darkness
Jade needed kicking when I caught up with her. At least normal fortunetellers used crystal balls. Reflections, refractions, whatever. Those were at least interesting to look at. This was . . . what was this? Obsidian? “Stare into my ball,” the woman said.
All Her World
Adili fluttered her wings as the floor dropped out beneath her. She reached up by instinct and placed her hand against the red ceiling descending rapidly. Beyond the walls she could hear glass chime. Was it time again?
Detached
Elrad frowned. He was in the elevator again. Stepping to the windows he scowled. The city spread with lights like a jewel box. She’d be behind him again. If he turned she’d be there in her black and white glory. If he didn’t the dream wouldn’t advance. Which was worse?
Trouble
I watched Inspector Wittkower ignore the throng, offkey sirens, and acrid stench of a train burning. No. Fairness demanded noting a train wasn’t burning. A lone engine belched smoke not steam. A small one. Hardly worth fussing.
Still Wittkower ignored all and the responders parted about him and the lady he spoke with. Her genteel clothes didn’t belong here. Jacket, bustle, skirts. All screamed breeding. This was a place of poverty.
Dweranad
Rain pelted my face as I examined the clouds. “The sun’s up there somewhere,” Criawan said hiding under her own cloaks hood. I grunted my response.
I hated sullen days, and this trip had seen its share, but we were winding our way down the switchbacks to Dweranad.
Noise
Bolts striking, metal and crete cracking, voices screaming to each other. Jannes could hear it all. The different scents of flame melded into a cacophony of odors. His shoulders tensed with the desire to look, to search for danger, to protect himself.
Don’t Go
“Why must you press me?” Ashelia said shrugging out of her grip and stepping away.
The woman just grinned at her, head tilted and eyes wide. Almost as disquieting as the glitters drifting lazily around her. “Because it’s a ball, my dear!” Her voice broke with enthusiasm.
