It's been a crazy
week. Our county had severe flash flooding in the far eastern end and many of
the people affected are still trying to dry out. Then there was a terrible barn
fire that took three teenagers, most a little younger than my daughter. And to
top it off, a beloved coach and teacher lost his battle with cancer. So… yeah.
Rough and crazy week. Also… it can quit raining whenever it wants to.
A little light on
television fare, but I did get some shows watched. Caught an episode of Durham County and, honestly, it's insane
how dark this show goes. Not in a bad way either. But it's super-twisted and
seriously messy. I can't wait to see how Ray Prager, Sr. tries to keep the
upper hand he gained this week. I also can't wait to see him go down really
hard. Please make that happen.
Midsomer Murders had a great episode featuring astronomy. I
thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and figuring out the why and how.
Watched two more
episodes each of Peter Gunn and Classic Who. I'm nearing the end of the
first doctor's tenure and should be starting Two's in the near future.
Caught another
episode of Painkiller Jane and
enjoyed it. I like the episode the first time around because it opened up some
questions about whether all neuros really needed to be chipped. I think this
show was a little ahead of its time.
Blade had a decent episode where Krista needed to detox and Blade had to find
a serial killer vampire. Not a bad hour's worth or so of entertainment.
Started another
episode of Blue Heelers. I'm still
enjoying this Aussie drama.
Watched another
episode of Banshee. It took me three
days to get through the entire episode due to several interruptions and a
number of work deadlines. But I loved this one from the original watch and
didn't want to miss anything.
Caught Chicago Fire penultimate episode of
season seven. Excellent showing. I kind of love where all the characters are
right now… which means they'll all be upended in the finale. LOL
Started Daredevil's third episode of season
three. I'm really liking this final season. I'm so disappointed with all the
consolidation and shifting of assets and how it affects terrific television.
I'm not a huge Disney fan because they keep snapping everything up.
That's pretty much
it for television this week. Tonight's post is from One of These Things, a
novella that got a start with a writing community prompt about recreating fairy
tales.
Here's the
mini-blurb:
Tanis Watts comes of age in the human world, but discovers
she has fae abilities. When she's caught between warring factions, she falls in
with the wrong side and barely escapes with her life. Seeking sanctuary, she
lands on Falco Corsair's doorstep and runs headfirst into her destiny.
And a preview snippet…
Brevan Hollis shook like a leaf
but he'd promised to help whenever he got a call. "Didn't know I'd be
going back to the hell pit I escaped from." Being a mid-liner—a fae who
didn't have allegiance to either the Black or the White—put him in a position
to be useful to both sides.
But someone from the White had
saved his sorry ass when the dark priest wanted to make Brevan a sacrificial example
five years ago. Middle liners had at least one human parent and weren't
supposed to be recruited by the fae councils. Some long ago treaty gave the
half-faes freedom from swearing fealty to either sect.
Something the high priest
conveniently forgot when it suited him.
Brevan's steps slowed when he
came to the small stone building. A shot-gun styled interior with a short
hallway and four tiny rooms on either side and a larger single room in the
back, the makeshift jail held only one prisoner.
Tannis Watts.
Brevan didn't have a clue what
she looked like or what condition she'd be in. The call didn't have those kinds
of specifics, only the location and the urgent need to get Tannis to safety.
He'd come semi-prepared with a small medical kit and a bag of charms and
crystals. Both were tucked inside his jacket, just in case.
Slipping through the gate in the
front yard, he stooped down and crept quietly toward the house. No guards were
posted outside, which actually helped and hindered his quest. He could enter
through the front door, but opted to go around back in case someone acted as a
sentry inside.
Angling toward the rear entrance,
he squinted through the window. "Unless something major has changed in the
five years, I'll have a better view to the front." Sure enough, the large
space that once used to be a kitchen and dining area gave him a straight view
to the front of the building. No one stood inside.
Brevan used his quick and nimble
fingers to get through the lock. He carefully opened the door and eased inside
the house. Now, he only had to figure out which room Tannis would occupy.
Taking a step forward, he
listened for any sound that would give him a clue. "Rather not have to
pick every lock in the place." He stopped by the first door and pressed
his ear against it.
Nothing. No creaking floorboards,
no rustling, not a peep.
He crossed the hall and listened
at the neighboring door.
Same thing. Not a sound.
Biting back a sigh, he moved to
the next room. "It's after midnight, dumbass. She's probably
sleeping." Might as well finish the rounds and try the next door.
He leaned against the heavy oak,
trying to detect any kind of movement. He almost fell on his face when the door
jerked open and he stumbled into the darkened space. A hand caught him under
his chin, squeezing his throat then pushed him up against the wall.
Dim moonlight illuminated a
beautiful female face marred only by the slash of her angry mouth.
Her fingers clamped tighter
around his neck. "Full moon's not until tomorrow. Why are you here?"
He tried to swallow but couldn't
get his throat to work. "T-t-tannis W-ww-watts?" He resisted the
desire to claw at her hand even though he couldn't breathe.
She narrowed her eyes. "Why.
Are. You. Here?"
When he couldn't do more than
choke out a garbled response, she finally relented and loosened her grip on his
airway. He dragged several lungsful of air into his chest and cleared his
throat.
He glanced down to his jacket.
"Inside the pocket." He hoped she'd retrieve the card otherwise he
might not make it out alive.
She reached in with her free hand
then read the name and address before slowly letting him go.
Brevan gave her the same
introduction he'd received five years ago. "If you don't want to die, I
can get you out. The choice is yours."
She pinned him with a clear gaze,
searching his face for any sign of imminent betrayal. Brevan didn't flinch or
look away even though her scrutiny unnerved him. They needed to get going if
she wanted to escape. The building would be on a regular patrol route since it
didn't have guards.
Tannis relaxed her posture and
nodded. "Let's go."
I hope this story
turns out the way I see things in my head. It's fun to write the conflict
between dark and light and how those who aren't on either side have to play
carefully to not get in the way.
That's it for this
week.
Cheers!
Skye
