Kindle Edition
Amazon
Diana Green Books
Category:
Fantasy
Publisher: Amazon
ISBN-10: 1484834917
Type: Fiction
Pages: 179
Copyright: April 26, 2013
ISBN-13: 9781484834916
Price: $0.99 (eBook)
This a collection of twelve science-fiction/fantasy short stories. They are widely varied in theme and setting.
A boy tries to lure the “little folk” into fixing his parents’ marriage.
A mother risks everything to find her abducted daughter.
One alien battles another in the grueling rite of Ascension.
A young woman is challenged to marry a god, or sacrifice her village
Mysterious visitors, from across the rift, change an artist’s life forever
A healer must banish the vengeful spirit of a murdered witch.
A rebel, sentenced to life on a prison ship, is given a dangerous chance at freedom.
These are tales of transformation, revelation, and wonder. Each is told with an eye for detail and a focus on compelling, believable characters.
Excerpt
I switched off lights and wipers but left the car running for heat. Rain laced with ice granules hit the windshield, flecks melting as they slid down the glass. I glanced at the stereo clock…8:42. Hopefully Terry would finish his racquetball session soon. I had a painting waiting at home, and when I’m on a roll, I hate interruptions.
“Hey sweets, would you pick me up around 8:30 at the Y? Rob has a date afterwards, and I need a lift. Thanks. Oh, could you bring me a sandwich or something? I’m starving.”
That was the message left on my cell phone an hour ago. Friendly, brief, taking completely for granted I’d drop everything just to give him a ride. That was so Terry. I wondered sometimes if he dated me for my car and the contents of my fridge.
Turning the music up, I pushed such depressing thoughts away. The pulse of bodhran and lilt of flute filled my mind. I let them carry me. It was The Chieftains’ Strayaway Child, one of my favorites. I tipped my head back against the car seat, fingers drumming to the rhythm.
Outside, the world slithered in rain, streetlights bleeding across the wet pavement, buildings buckling and shifting as rivulets trickled down the windows of my car. I imagined painting the scene in dark oils, an urban landscape, wavering under the weight of water and night.
An odd figure walked briskly along the far side of the street, and I sat up a little to watch. The man appeared long and narrow, in a knee-length coat that swung behind him. His hat was old fashioned, not exactly a top hat, but close. I couldn’t make it out in the dim light.
Under it’s brim I could see thick coils of white hair hanging past his cheeks. I was reminded of dreadlocks, only these were limp and trout-belly pale. I had the impression of a gaunt face, as colorless as his hair, but I couldn’t be sure. He was past me in another instant, stabbing the air with his cane every three steps. I leaned forward, peering after him.
“Nasty piece of work that. You want to keep well clear.”
I jumped at the voice from the back seat, and whipped my head around to see who was there. A diminutive individual, no more than three feet tall, was sitting cross-legged by my backpack. He was unusually wooly, and wore what looked like a patchwork of leather, flannel, and bits of old sweaters. He nodded sagely at me, his eyes glinting green in the glow of the traffic light.
“Who…how’d you get in here? What are you?” My voice rose higher with each word. I was taking in the weirdness of him, from the swirling tattoos on his face to the fox-like ears poking through his tangled hair. Worst of all were his teeth. They showed like tiny daggers when he spoke.
“Settle down lady,” he said sharply. “Best not draw attention. The Moon Man’s across the way, and I came in here to lay low. Don’t need you makin’ a fuss.”
“Then why didn’t you choose an empty car?”
My question seemed to embarrass the creature. He was silent a moment, then he shrugged. “I like your music. So sue me.”
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