tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24426433006251118242024-03-12T22:21:28.976-05:00The Write AddictionsC.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-52634882032968989612015-11-12T09:16:00.001-06:002015-11-12T09:16:46.176-06:00New Site<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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C.E Dimond official website has launched.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cedimond.com/">www.cedimond.com</a><br /><br />You can find information on my books there as well as free reads, poetry blog posts and more! You can also subscribe to the mailing list for exclusive updates and promo codes. Can't wait to see you there!<br /><br /></div>
C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-72075321191346916212015-09-11T10:57:00.004-05:002015-09-11T10:58:39.842-05:00The Names<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #034547; font-family: eb garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;">So picking names is important, not only do you want them to be unique, but you want them to have meaning and relate well to your character without necessarily being too obvious, I mean Taylor the Tailor is a bit much right?</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #034547; font-family: eb garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;">For the names of my lead characters for the Lost Legacies series I did a lot of research. I search for names based on meaning, appearance also went with what I liked, and how it sounded. </span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #034547; font-family: eb garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;">The Main Five</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #034547; font-family: eb garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;">Fionnuala -FINN-OOLA (Fair-Shouldered)- Perfect name for our fair haired heroine</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #034547; font-family: eb garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;">Eamon -AY-MAN(Rich Protector) - I don’t know about ‘rich’ but the O’Neill’s are born protectors and Eamon proves this more than once.</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #034547; font-family: eb garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;">Declan -DECK-LYN (Full of Goodness) - Our most sincere of the group, he is pure of heart and intention. </span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #034547; font-family: eb garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;">Neely -KNEEL-LY(Passionate) - He relies solely on his emotions to drive him</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #034547; font-family: eb garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;">Caine (Son of the Fighter) - Perfect for his hot tempered demanor not to mention he’s ;iterally the son of their fight trainer. </span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #034547; font-family: eb garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;">The Council Five</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #034547; font-family: eb garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;">Niamh -NEEV (Bright) - She is described as having been the light of the group.</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #034547; font-family: eb garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;">Cormac -KORMACK (The Destroyer) - It remains to be seen whether or not he truly has the potential to live up to his name, but he certainly has left devastation in his wake.</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #034547; font-family: eb garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;">Patrick (Noble) - He may be a bit stiff, but has an unnatural affinity for doing the right thing, and putting others before himself.</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #034547; font-family: eb garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;">Brendan (Prince) - The now sole heir to the Cavanagh line it’s certainly fitting. </span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #034547; font-family: eb garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;">Owen - (Young Worrier) - the council’s most youthful glow seems to be fighting based on instinct and emotion rather that wisdom.</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #034547; font-family: eb garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px;">Cian -KEY-AN(Ancient) - Particularly stern about their traditions in the coven. </span></span></h2>
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C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-91024567844082799872015-08-25T15:02:00.000-05:002015-08-25T15:02:04.326-05:00The Playlist Inspiration<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When I was writing A Lost Legacy: Awakening, I listened to the same playlist over and over again because each song helped me envision a particular scene that I was working on and helped me carry the story through to completion. </div>
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1) Icarus - Bastille<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none 0px;" />2) Sail Away - Stray Dogg<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none 0px;" />3) Our Song - Matchbox Twenty<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none 0px;" />4) Kings and Queens - Thirty Seconds to Mars<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none 0px;" />5) Somewhere Out There - Our Lady Peace<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none 0px;" />6) Never Say Never - The Fray<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none 0px;" />7) My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark - Fall Out Boy<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none 0px;" />8) Longest Night - Howie Day<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none 0px;" />9) Bad Blood - Bastille<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none 0px;" />10) Love Runs Out - OneRepublic<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none 0px;" />11) Closer To The Edge - Thirty Seconds to Mars<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none 0px;" />12) If You Could See Me Now - The Script<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none 0px;" />13) Get Home - Bastille<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none 0px;" />14) How To Save a Life - The Fray<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none 0px;" />15) Stay - Rihanna ft Mikky Ekko<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none 0px;" />16) No Happy Ending - Mika<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none 0px;" />17) Impossible - Shontelle<br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none 0px;" />18) Heartless - The Fray Cover</div>
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C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-470243196423052032015-08-24T13:24:00.000-05:002015-08-24T13:24:02.049-05:00The Sequel Struggle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Let’s be frank the hardest part of self-publishing your book is marketing. I’m a writer not a PR specialist and while I strive to be active on every possible social media forum, I’m certainly also not a marketing expert (theatre and theology studies don't prepare you for that).</div>
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For those whom I have managed to get my title to, I already have demands for when the sequel is coming out; is it finished? What happens next? Well here’s the trouble; The Sequel is in the works, it is not finished, and you’ll have to wait to find out what happen’s next (sorry).</div>
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As I struggle to complete the sequel in a timely fashion (not that writing itself is a struggle) I’m also trying to balance it with the novel promotion. What good is my second book for the series if I can’t get the right incline and interest on Awakening. <br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; outline: none 0px;" />Those who have purchased the book and read it! I thank you, the encouragement I have received thus far has been inspiring. Though editing errors aside -insert accidental period joke here- over all I have received wonderful and constructive feedback.</div>
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I've heard the best PR is word of mouth, having friends, family, colleagues read the book and recommend it to their friends, strangers, colleagues etc. Which is hard to monitor. I have been lucky enough to have a support group of friends and family but also looked to expand the distribution.</div>
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Any marketing recommendations? </div>
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C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-58640026694194288702015-08-07T17:02:00.001-05:002015-08-14T22:35:59.564-05:00Debut Novel A Lost Legacy: Awakening<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The wait is over. A Lost Legacy: Awakening is finally here. This Kickstarter funded novel is a debut writing effort for C.E Dimond the first volume in the Lost Legacies fantasy series</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">TITLE:</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="color: #999999;">A Lost Legacy: Awakening<br />
<strong>AUTHOR:</strong> C.E Dimond<strong><br />
PUBLISHER:</strong> Write Addictions<br />
<strong>DATE OF PUBLICATION:</strong> July 30<sup>th</sup>
2015<br />
<strong>RETAIL PRICE:</strong> $13.95 USD $16.95 CDN
(Paperback) <br />
<strong>ISBN-13:</strong> 978-0-9938701-0-1<br />
<strong>PAGES:</strong> 274</span></span><br />
*This title is available for online purchase and retailer order through <b>Ingram Content Inc</b>. in 6x9 Paperback
format. It is also available through Amazon distribution and in epub and mobi
ebook versions through other popular online distributors.<br />
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<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">JUV000000 Juvenile
Fiction : General<br />
JUV037000 Juvenile Fiction :
Fantasy & Magic<br />
JUV058000 Juvenile Fiction :
Paranormal</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
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Young Adult Novel: Urban Fantasy Fiction<br />
Grade Recommendation: 7- 12<br />
Age Group: 13 – 18+<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finn Adams thought she knew what her life had in store for her; a mundane existence of day to day life. The arrival of a stranger in town turns her world upside down. When her mother goes missing, Finn soon discovers that she is a witch and she is being hunted for her power. Ripped from the only life she’s ever known, Finn is transported across the country to Broadhaven, Maine to discover the secrets she never knew about herself, her heritage, and the tremendous power that's been kept from her for so long. Her loyalties are tested when she learns of her true parentage and discovers she is part of a prophecy, destined to awaken an ancient power that has been lost for centuries . As she struggles to learn from her mother’s past, she is faced with the ultimate struggle of good and evil, family or friends, she must learn who she can trust and find the power within herself to stop the prophecy from coming true.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.8px;">AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK OR KOBO, KINDLE, NOOK etc. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://cedimond.wix.com/author" target="_blank">BUY NOW</a></span></div>
C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-90022682698746716762015-07-02T21:13:00.001-05:002015-07-07T10:43:04.389-05:00Haunted<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US"><i>Sssh</i> the voice and laughter mixed together
made any sense of uneasiness Sammi might have felt on the long drive over there
vanish, just slightly as they walked through what felt like long grass against
her bare legs. She assumed it was dark, but the blindfold pulled across her
blue eyes prevented her from confirming her theory, for all she knew they could
have been in Connecticut by now. She had recognized one of the voices was
undoubtedly Matt, of that she was certain. Ambushing her had been a dangerous game
to place, but their voices had let her guard down almost immediately, otherwise
it could have gone very badly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">She was straining her ears to try and pick
up some sort of clue as to where she was going “Where are you taking me?” she
demanded, from the smell of the place it was someone damp and dusty, the type
of place that hadn’t seen daylight in decades. The joke had easily lost its
amusement already, ten minutes ago when he’d accidentally led her into the
door, so much for trust exercises.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“You do realize it’s not my birthday” she
added, or any sort of notable event in anyway, unless this was their sick way
of initiating her first principal role. Stop complaining and just roll with it
one of the voices spoke, Teresa, and she bite her tongue to keep from
retorting. She rolled with the punches far too often, this was just another day
for her, if they thought this little venture was going to scare her, they had a
harsh reality check in the wings. “Ow” she muttered as she smacked right into
the wall on her left. <i>Crap sorry</i> that was Matt again and now she was sure this
was a prank.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“You are literally the worst” she spoke
when she was suddenly stopped, hands on either side of her arms holding her in
place. Just whatever you do, don’t take off the blindfold til we get back he
added and she listened as the sound of footsteps moved away from her. “Whoa,
wait what?” she asked her own voice echoing now off the walls that surrounded
her. “The hell do you mean until you get back?” she called. Where the hell did
they think they were going? “Matt! Tess, come on!” but there was no response,
and the footsteps had ceased, or at least moved far enough out of her own
range. “I have the world’s stupidest friends” she muttered more to herself as
she waited there impatiently tapping her foot against the floor to keep her
mind occupied. Time was passing slowly and no more voices joined her. “Any time
now” she voiced when suddenly a scream erupted through the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“hilarious” she voiced, at first not shaken
until the eerie silence settled in again. Tess? Matt’s voice echoed through the
place now and was quickly followed by another scream, this one far less high
pitched and despite her general attitude that sinking feeling started to settle
in. “Guys this isn’t funny” she warned, and it wasn’t, it really really wasn’t.
If they only knew the shit she had to deal with when they were at the studio
they wouldn’t find this stupid prank remotely amusing. “Matt seriously cut it
out” and yet there was no response. “Shit” she muttered removing the blind fold
now letting it hang around her neck, breaking the rules entirely. Her eyes took
a moment to adjust to the place around her. It took her a moment to take it,
the damp, dusty smell made sense. The house was not exactly falling to pieces
but definitely looked like it hadn’t seen human contact in at least a decade.
Pressing her lips together, she bite the inner flesh of her lower lip to fight
the annoyance that was building up. A haunted house prank? That was
just high school bush league stuff. She wondered briefly, where they’d even
managed to find the place when she pulled out her phone and did a quick locate.
Woodbridge, CT well that had been one hell of a drive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Are you freaking kidding me?” she called
out. “You drove two hours for a prank?” she called out as she started making
her way across the floor. “You two really need a life” she assured them. The
lack of response was making her nervous, no matter how calm she managed to stay
on the surface. She didn’t even have her bag on her so she was weaponless.
Moving through the house now she made her way to the kitchen, maybe it was
being over prepared but if they hand salt left in these cupboards she wasn’t
risking not getting her hands on it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Pulling out her phone again she watched as
the screen flickered on and off, reception suddenly dropping to zero. “Son of a
–“ suddenly it appeared before her in seconds and while she had been caught off
guard the surprise didn’t even register on her face, she hadn’t as much as
flinched. “Holy sh-“ she ducked as the …thing, man as it would appear reached
for her neck, quickly dodging her way out of its grasp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">IDIOTS. God, of course they had to find the
one damned haunted house that was ACTUALLY haunted. That sickening
feeling returned now as she wondered where they were, and why, had no one known
about this place? Iron, Iron…somewhere, there had to be something. Over on the
ground she saw an iron curtain rod half hanging off the window of the back door
and she darted for it, closing her hand around the surface and swinging it
toward the apparition. It disappeared before her eyes and she held tightly to
the makeshift weapon praising, well whomever, that it had actually been iron.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">She had a rocksalt filled shell around her
neck, but it was useless to her without a weapon to fire it from and more so
than before she began cursing her friends for thinking this was a funny idea.
Hearing the door again she hoped it was them and she hurried back to the hall.
“Joke’s over jerks we gotta go, like now”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-64917392433440177572014-09-23T17:15:00.005-05:002014-10-01T13:51:45.788-05:00Daltons Part 11<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The sudden throw of passion had not been on the agenda for the evening, at least not in Lia's mind. Somehow her mind had let go of all the logic screaming at her and despite her better judgement things had gone too far, too fast. Her green eyes flickered open the blurred sight of a dark and unfamiliar room. As she began to shift she became suddenly aware of the heavy arm draped over her waist and her eyes followed it the peaceful sight of Hunter asleep beside her. A small smile appeared on her lips, he looked like less of an annoyance asleep. Her eyes searched for the clock and a small hint of panic came over her as she saw the time. She was dead.<br />
<br />
Carefully she slipped out of the bed and fumbled through the dark for her things. Her mind was reeling with emotions, everything in her fighting her to stay but she knew better, by the morning they'd be leaving town and this, whatever this was, had been a stupid idea. She never should have gone in the first place, she should have just overpowered him for the ring but that deprived girl inside her had desperately wanted the experience, more than she would ever admit, so much so that it actually scared her. Slipping her clothes back on she grabbed her shoes and quickly made her way out the door. She shut it quietly behind her before pulling her shoes on she hurried down the apartment stairs and out.<br />
<br />
As she got to the motel she reached for her key only to realize she didn't even have her bag. "Shit" she muttered running her hand through her tangled hair she hesitated as her fingers ran into a hair pin. Pulling it out she knelt down at the handle carefully picking the lock. Lock picking had basically been a right of passage in the Dalton family, after all haunted houses weren't always left open. She heard the familiar click and stood turning the handle quietly. Opening the door she carefully stepped inside the room hoping that her absence had gone unnoticed.<br />
<br />
"Lia what the hell we were about to call the police!" Jimmy said and for the first time in a long time she saw a genuine look of worry crossed his features. "Well that would be a first" she commented, people like her didn't mix well with the cops, they always seemed to get in the way "Thank God you're alive" he said closing the space between them her brother wrapped his arms around her tightly. The moment her older brother embraced her she lost any control over her emotions that she might have had. It had all hit her, everything that they had missed out on in their lives had always gone unnoticed, until now. Tears rushed down her cheeks as she felt the burn against her cheeks and she could feel her brother tense in his hold uncertain of how to react, after all Lia Dalton didn't cry.<br />
<br />
"Give us a minute Jim" and her oldest brother's voice cut through the room. She hadn't even seen him sitting there until he'd spoken. She stepped back from the hug and turned her attention to him now waiting as she watched Jimmy head outside shutting the door behind him. She watched Jake stand from his chair and move across the room before he grabbed his shoulders firmly his blue eyes staring into hers. "You can't do this, pull yourself together Lia you're a Dalton" he started before his eyes looked across her face and he suddenly released her stepping back. "What happened?" he demanded "What did he do to you?" but she shook her head.<br />
<br />
"Nothing" she protested. Jake wouldn't understand, he never had he didn't see a problem with their lifestyle, they did their job, just like they were trained to and moved on from town to town. He'd never been the sort of guy who got attached very easily, so leaving people behind had become second nature. For her and Jimmy, it was different. They had always joked that Jimmy was the outcast, his dark hair made him contrast against their fairer features but in truth, it was Jake who stood apart from them both, whatever need for normalcy he might once have had, was long gone. "Lia you're sneaking in at four in the morning in tears so it's not nothing how about we try that again?" he asked.<br />
<br />
"How about you leave it alone?" she retorted with force and the look of betrayal that crossed his face stung. "You and Jimmy need to get my bag back" she said simply moving past him to open the door letting her other brother back inside.<br />
"Why? Where is it?"and she hesitated.<br />
"His apartment" she revealed.<br />
"Wait; what were you doing at his apartment?" Jimmy asked with such naivety it almost hurt to hear the words.<br />
"I think I can guess" Jake offered, his own voice sounded more like a growl causing Lia to avoiding looking either of them in the eye. This was not ideal, if she'd come home at a more decent time she never would have been faced with the scenario and no one would have been any wiser of what had gone on in her absence.<br />
"I still don't follow" Jimmy offered and Lia almost lost it.<br />
"I slept with him Jimmy!" she yelled all of her frustrations coming out on her brother now, the wrong one in fact. "I gave it up! Handed out the V card! Hit it and quit it!"<br />
"I think we get the picture" Jake interrupted<br />
"Do you? Do you actually Jake because of all the people in this room right now you least of all should be judging me!"<br />
"Hang on it's-"<br />
"I swear to God if you're about to finish that with 'It's different' so help me Jacob" she warned him. She was sick of stupid double standards, it had always been this way and honestly, she was shocked she'd even been allow to hunt at all, one might have thought she was living in a Jane Austen novel with the restrictions they placed on her.<br />
"I- wait you- wait- what?" Jimmy seemed to have a more difficult time comprehending it all but Lia waited, it usually only took him a moment before his brain caught up. "Jesus Lia... with THAT guy?"<br />
"Did you have another guy in mind?" she questioned curiously<br />
"Preferably none... ever" Jake offered and she rolled her eyes, welcome to the twenty first century.<br />
"Okay well when you guys come back to reality come find me" she muttered moving past them grabbing her jacket off the bed and heading to the door opening it.<br />
"Lia! Come on..." Jimmy's voice followed her and she turned quickly.<br />
"No, just leave me alone" she said slamming it closed behind her she took off into a run, disappearing into the night.</div>
C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-82861231400208720312014-09-08T17:27:00.002-05:002014-10-01T13:53:21.842-05:00A Matter of Perspective<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>This was written by myself in a 25 minute time period as an essay assignment for an online practice examination. I thought I would share it.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>"Two men look out
through the same bars; one sees mud and one the stars." (Frederick
Langbridge)</b> a simple but exceptionally true statement. No, two individuals do
not always see the same thing when they look at it. Every human being has a
different way of thinking, as individuals no two people are alike, we have varying
forms of intellect and different cultures, or economic situations can have an
effect on how we perceive the world around us. Humans can be taught how to look
at things and still, five students with the same instructors for their
education will never turn out to be identical thinkers. One cannot exactly
explain the process but there are a variety of factors that affect the
outcomes. Individual DNA can be a contributing factor and an uncontrolled one
at that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> An artist will not look at the stars as a
philosopher would, nor would an astronomer. One may see a beautiful backdrop to
paint, another simply contemplates the view and it's greater meaning, while an astronomer will map it. All
three are looking at the same sky but to each individual the outcome is astoundingly
different. There is also the question of where an individual would look. As
quoted by Frederick Landbridge, one man is looking down at the ground, while the
other looks about to the sky, quite literally they are looking in two separate
directions despite the fact that they are looking through the same bars. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Additionally is the
metaphor to be examined here, optimism verses pessimism, most individuals would
be inspired by a vision of the stars above, while mud on the other hand is less
inspirational less one is an exceptional gardener. Not only in the quote, are
the men quite literally seeing two different objects, but their perceptions on
life seem to contrast, it is a classic tale of viewing the glass as half empty,
versus half full. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What does this say of
the human society? If all humans are of a basically similar genetic makeup, why
are we not all seeing the stars through the bars, or the mud? There is a
component of the human mind that cannot be controlled, it is the very reason that
in an elementary class of thirty children, all receiving the same instruction
for several years will produce so many different individuals and professionals. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Out of one simple class of thirty individuals, despite their identical
education could be an Author, a Doctor, an Educator and so on. In fact, despite
everything there could be thirty different professions to appear out of this
class and for no reason aside from the fact, that as human individuals each and every one
of these students is potentially able to excel at different tasks. Some are
logical thinkers, others are artistic, some have no preference and are comparable
at both and others do not excel at academics at all but are much better at task
work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In conclusion often
times no two individuals see everything from the same perspective It is not to
say that it is not possible for this to happen, but the human brain is a complex
place, completely individual to each and every new human being that is born and
developed in a society.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-20005928262805341392014-06-15T23:54:00.001-05:002014-06-16T00:00:03.063-05:00Campaign Launch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<br />
I have launched Crowdfunding Fundraiser campaigns for A Lost Legacy: Awakening on both Kickstarter and Indiegogo. I need your support to make them happen!<br />
<br />
A Lost Legacy series was born in the forefront of my mind about six years ago. Writing has always been a passion of mine and the Supernatural and Fantasy fiction genre is a great place to escape. I have been perfecting and changing the novel for so long now that it's almost ready for release the only issue is getting the funds to get the product out there!<br />
<br />
The novel is in the finishing stages but it needs my complete attention, a great editor, great advertising and some wicked graphics. Unfortunately while I try my best to self-promote all of this is costing money, not to mention I want to get the product printed and out there to people who really love to read and believe in the power of a good book.
<br />
<br />
What's the Difference? Indiegogo is a flexible funding site where all funds raised go to the campaign launcher VS Kickstarter where the fund raising is all or nothing. Indiegogo also offers a Paypal option to Kickstarters Amazon/Creditcard only pledge options.
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/a-lost-legacy-awakening-writing-debut/x/7954018" target="_blank">INDIEGOGO CAMPAIGN</a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cfohe/a-lost-legacy-a-novel-writing-debut" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN</span></a></div>
</div>
C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-9700227748290690792014-06-10T11:52:00.000-05:002014-06-10T11:52:08.223-05:00Kickstarter Launch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm terrified and excited to announce that Today I have officially launched my Kickstarter project for the first book in A Lost Legacy series!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
Thank you so much for the support on my blog and reading what I've written so far, though I've tried to keep the main content of A Lost Legacy underwraps you have all been supportive with my short stories! To support or simply check out the project you can find it here!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cfohe/a-lost-legacy-a-novel-writing-debut">SUPPORT ON KICKSTARTER</a></div>
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C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-8818232458865334012014-06-03T21:08:00.000-05:002014-10-14T15:52:38.832-05:00Bound<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<br />
The sound of Audrey's alarm rang through the room as she moved her arm across her to smack the snooze button before groaning under her breath. Morning always seemed to come too soon, and she never felt fully recovered from the day before. Curling up in the warmth of her blanket she felt the soft press of lips against her cheek she opened her dark eyes and focused on the man lying next to her. "Morning" he started and she muttered something in agreement to that fact. "You better be careful" he teased "I'm getting used to waking up here" the comment made her smile but she did best to hide her nerves. Roman was one of the first people she'd met in Braxton when she'd moved and the closer he got to her, the more lies she had started to spin to keep him there.<br />
"Yeah well don't get too comfortable you have your own place you know" She reminded him kissing him quickly before she rolled to get out of the bed. He grabbed her hand quickly before she could step too far and she glanced back at him over her shoulder.<br />
"Where's your bracelet?" he asked and her eyes fell to her wrist.<br />
"took it off to shower last night" she offered the lie flowing so easily from her lips it became hard to stomach forcing a smile before she hurried into the bathroom sliding the door shut behind her. Reaching for the drawer she opened it her eyes falling quickly to the diamond tennis bracelet she'd left sitting there and running her fingers across the jewels she reached to grab it as her fingers brushed something else. Closing her hands around it she carefully removed a blue leather box and her fingers carefully moved across the worn edges. She never should have taken it with her, it sat there as a constant reminder of what she'd left behind. As she moved to open the box she heard the vibration of a phone from the bedroom and she froze, dropping the box down into the drawer and slamming it shut.<br />
"Bennett Carter's calling" the name caused her stomach to drop, Bennett had promised to let her be which meant if he was calling her, something had to be terribly wrong. She moved into the room with grace and a smile more forced than the last one. "Should I answer it?" he asked and she reached for the phone all too quickly just as it stopped ringing.<br />
"I got it" she said casually "you go shower" she told him as she took the phone and moved carefully into the kitchen. She waited until she heard the water turn on before returning the call. With each ring her nerves began to raise but she suddenly calmed as the familiar voice came through the phone.<br />
<div>
"Audrey, I'm glad you called" it was Bennett's voice, calm, controlled, comforting as always.<br />
"You called me" she reminded him and she could almost hear him smile through the phone.<br />
"That I did....you need to come home" She froze at the words and stuttered a response.</div>
<div>
"You said I could stay here-" she protested but it was quickly cut off.<br />
"That was when I thought you would be safe, unfortunately circumstances have changed, you've been in Braxton long enough we need you home" his tone was demanding and as much as she wanted to say no, she knew that she had an obligation to her family even if she hadn't chosen them, they had chosen her. She was about to protest when the words she feared most came next.</div>
<div>
"It's Ryder- he's in trouble"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
***</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ryder Carter had always been different, from the day Bennett had found him at the Foster home, things had changed, he had been only seven years old and still his powers had begun to exhibit themselves. Unlike the others, Ryder had always carried a darker side and with darkness came rage, the kind that he wasn't always able to control and that's where Bennett had come in. His whole life he had worked at trying to prove his place, to make Bennett proud and to be a contributing member of the society even if that meant taking on the less than desirable tasks. The secret was, he had enjoyed it, embracing the pain, the lessons he got to instill on the rogues, it was a way to unleash his own pain and ensure that they understood the rules were in place for a reason, their abilities were not to be toyed with, not to be exposed in any way. The day he had met Audrey Rhodes had changed his whole life, he'd gone from a man with nothing but ambition to someone who felt real, she had seen something in him no one ever had before, and it wasn't his power. He had fallen in love with her the moment they'd met and despite his stubborn personality and attempts to keep her away, she somehow kept finding her way back to him. It had been soon after he met her he began to notice she was different, much like the others he had grown up around she too had some sort of ability, one he had never seen the likes of before. It had taken him a year to build up the courage to bring her to Crescenthill, and even then it was only after she had accepted his proposal. Bringing her to Crescenthill had risks, he had known that when he'd done it but he knew that Bennett needed to approve of her before he could marry her. He hadn't planned what had happened next. The Rogues had attacked them on the road into the manor and as payback for what he'd done to them in the past they stabbed Audrey. Bringing her to Bennett he had been faced with the choice, allow the woman he loved to bleed to her death in the infirmary, or to make her an initiate, a risk that could very well have taken her life. He chose to initiate her, allowing Michael Barnes to heal her wounds and expose his power, the act that would make her one of them. While the men in their line were born and thrived on their abilities, the women in their line were claimed, at age twenty-five their abilities fully manifested, a process which either killed them, or made them stronger. The house was filled with males for the very reason that none of their female ancestors or initiates had ever survived the claiming, that was until Audrey. The shock of electricity on his skin woke Ryder out of his thoughts as he screamed from the pain, the burning smell of his skin becoming an all too familiar scent.<br />
"Oh good you're awake" he narrowed his dark blue eyes at the man standing before him his fingers sparking like lightning, as he glared he thought of all the ways he would make him pay for this when he got free.<br />
"What the hell do you want?" he asked boredly as though he were there on his accord.<br />
"Well how about a little payback for this? Then we'll move on from there" Leo Wilde had always been dramatic but it wasn't until he had left them had he truly embraced his inner melodrama. The payback he was speaking of was in reference to what Ryder had done to the man's face for betraying the homes secrets to another family.<br />
"I think it's an improvement Wilde, I mean you know what they say, chicks dig scars" he offered before a punch met him straight across the jaw. Ryder laughed even as he tasted blood on his tongue. "Oh you can do better than that" </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
***</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Whoa, one phone call and you're packing your bags?" Roman asked and Audrey bit her lip nervously as she shoved a few shirts into a duffel bag.<br />
"It's just for a few days, I need to go home and help out with some family stuff and then I'll be back" she assured him. That was part of the truth, whatever Bennett had said on the phone, she was going back to get their unit back together before she left again, she had been serious when she said she was out, she would keep her powers to herself, she would keep their true identities secret but she couldn't live like that anymore she needed normal.<br />
"Right, this mysterious family. Does the seven month mark not warrant a family introduction yet?" he asked and Audrey laughed slightly.<br />
"Trust me, you don't want to meet them they're... complicated" she stated. She'd only been in the circle for four years before she'd left, but even in that time, she had dealt with and done things she regretted, things that still haunted her dreams at night, the less Roman knew about that life, the better and he certainly didn't need to get anywhere near Ryder.<br />
"You haven't told them about me have you?" the question of the day and she turned looking slightly guilty as she stared at him, his green eyes watching her expectantly.<br />
"No..." she admitted "but I will, I will tell them when I go there and can do it face to face" she offered. She would have to tell Bennett at least, and she knew that he was good at keeping a secret if nothing else. "And I told Carson remember" she pointed out and watched as he smiled.<br />
"Right well, at least the brother knows, makes me fell like less of a dirty little secret" he joked. Part of the agreement of moving to the city had been Carson coming with her as her 'brother' while he studied pre-law she could do what she liked. The more she had to explain the random people in her life the more complicated a lie her family tree began to weave. "Is he coming with you?" he questioned and she nodded.<br />
"He's waiting outside" she said picking up her bag. "Love you" she said running out of the apartment and down the stairs to the car. Seeing Carson waiting there she opened the door tossing her back in the back before climbing in the passenger side. Carson was twenty years old, a good deal younger than her and the moment she'd moved into Crescenthill she had taken to him like a mother to a child. His messy dark hair and brown eyes gave them a similar appearance enough it seemed to pass as Half-siblings but there was a olive hint to his skin that was very much absent from her own fair complexion.<br />
"Where to?" he asked calmly and she adjusted the side mirror to check behind them before turning her eyes to him.<br />
"Home"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
***</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Bennett waited patiently by the window as he glanced through the trees of the estate to the road waiting for the stretch of country road to show the appearance of a car. He had already summoned most of his initiates and family home for this, a move he would not have made if he didn't think the matter was serious. Ryder had often caused trouble for the circle, but never like this, never to the extent he had now. Audrey's departure had sent his son into a tailspin that had landed them in the situation they were in now, his capture and a ransom he was not willing to pay. He heard the car before it came into view but a calm washed over him as the SUV pulled up outside the house. He moved from the window and into the main hall as the doors opened and Audrey entered.</div>
<div>
"Audrey" He said moving to her quickly he wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace holding her tightly. In her time there she had truly become the daughter he had never had, and one he knew now he would not have to lose to the claiming. He had once been hesitant on her involvement but she had done nothing but make them stronger since arriving, and he had come to care for her as he imagined any father would care for their child. It hurt him, to see the pain her leaving had caused Ryder, who was the only and closest thing he had to a son, he had hoped the calm that she brought to him would last but his actions had driven her from them, and yet somehow drawn her back now. "I've missed you around here" he told her before moving to hug Carson. "Welcome home you two, Carson your cousins are upstairs, I need to speak to Audrey" he said motioning to the office before watching as Carson nodding heading up the wooden stairs to the upper levels of the manor. He stepped inside waiting for Audrey to follow before closing the door behind her.<br />
"I didn't realize you'd called in all the reinforcements" she commented placing her bag down by the door taking a seat at the chair opposite his desk. Seating himself on the other side he took a moment to survey her, she looked different, uncertain of herself and it was a something he had never witnessed before.<br />
"Well you know I wouldn't have called you if it wasn't serious Audrey, Ryder... has been taken" he watched for some sort of reaction on her and he saw what he was looking for in her eyes, concern. "The rogues are under the assumption they can initiate a negotiation of leadership in this family and Leo Wilde is requesting I step down as Elder and promote his father to the position"<br />
"What? The Wilde's had their chance at leadership in their own circle and they broke the rules, they're rogue for a reason, that's absurd" she could feel her pulse beginning to race, the heat in body could have made her blood boil. "So what? They're using Ryder as a bargaining chip? You for him?" she asked.<br />
"Something like that, but we don't give into requests they should know that, and we especially don't react well to threats" he finished standing up he pulled a crystal from the drawer and slid it across the desk towards her. "You're the most gifted as Scrying Audrey, and you're also have the closest bond to Ryder, I need you to try a locator spell in the den and let us know the results, Nathaniel is upstairs waiting for you, he's got the maps" he watched as she stood up from the chair closing her hand around the crystal before turning to the door. She stopped and glanced over her shoulder at him for a moment.<br />
"Bennett..."<br />
"Yes Audrey?"<br />
"When we find him... and we will find him, I'm going back...you know why I can't stay here" He watched her for a moment and gave her a sad look.<br />
"I know why you think you can't stay here" he said simply and nodded to the door. Clenching her fists tightly Audrey turned and pushed her way through the office door grabbing her bag as she passed. "Your room's still there" he called behind her. Shaking her head Audrey bounded up the stairs stopping on the third floor she hesitated outside the door. Running his fingers across the surface she placed her hand on the door handle and carefully pushed it open. Stepping inside the memories hit her hard, for years this had been her sanctuary, their sanctuary. Inside she and Ryder were safe, as long as they were together and it had all fallen apart. Tossing her bag on the bed she slammed the door behind her as she moved back into the hall and walked down to Nate's room. Throwing the door open she walked in and slammed the Crystal down on the table.<br />
"RHODES!" she turned quickly to see a grinning Nate moving towards her.<br />
"Hey Nate" she said with a smile he suddenly lifted her from the ground in a tight hug spinning her around before placing her down. Nathaniel Barnes had grown up at Crescenthill, his father, had known Bennett when the two were children and they now ran the circle together. Ryder and Nate were like brothers, and they had adopted Carson into their family when his father had died. They had all had a tight bond when she'd arrived, but they'd accepted her with open arms like the sister-in-law Ryder had intended her to be to them.<br />
"I've missed that face around these parts, all the testosterone it's exhausting" he joked placing her down. "Did you finally come to your senses and come home?" he asked and her smiled vanished quickly.<br />
"I'm just here to find Ryder and then I'm going back to Braxton" she said moving past him now to the table where the maps had be laid out.<br />
"Why you got a squeeze there or something?"<br />
"Nate.."<br />
"You do...ouch" he stated "And I thought we had something" he said mimicking hurt.<br />
"Nate seriously enough" she told him and he cut the act.<br />
"Does Ryder know?" he asked next and she sighed turning her attention back to him.<br />
"No, and I'd prefer it if he didn't have to find out, my life in Braxton is my own, my life here... it's the past they don't need to meld" she stated and caught herself. "I don't- that's not what I meant" she said suddenly.<br />
"I know what you meant sweet cheeks, no harm done" he said "Lets just find Ryder so you can get back home" he said moving to lean on the edge of the table his eyes focused intensely on the map. She turned and placed the crystal on the map.<br />
"Do you have something of his?" She asked "Something he gave you?" Nate shook his head.<br />
"No... but you should" closing her eyes for a moment Audrey reached into the pocket of her jacket removing the small leather box. Opening the case her eyes fell on two silver bands within, one with a small singular diamond had been hers, the other, had belonged to Ryder.<br />
"I planned to leave them here" she spoke to leave that whole memory behind but she still seemed unable to leave them behind no matter where she went. She had tried to give hers back to Ryder when she left Crescenthill, but he'd surprised her by removing his own and giving them both back to her. "He told me to give it back to him when I was ready" she muttered, but she was sure that Nate knew that already, she hated to think of the things that were said about her there. Taking his ring from the box she placed it around the chain before connecting it to the crystal. Holding it over the map she closed her eyes tightly and began the incantation in her mind. Feeling the crystal stop she turned her eyes to the map. "He's in the mountains, in Rosewood" she stated. It didn't surprise her that the Rockford Circle would let the Wildes stage this kind go coup, or they were completely unaware, but there was bad blood between the Carters and the Rockfords, blood that went back centuries.<br />
"We can't cross into that territory" Nate said turning he threw his fist into the wall with frustration. "damn it!" Audrey took a breath calming her mind as she turned she focused her star on the hole Nate had left in the wall and the bruise already forming on his hand, she knew what had to be done.<br />
"You can't.... " she said taking the ring off the chain she placed it back in the box before shoving the box back into her pocket "but I can" </div>
</div>
C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-81649241922719491312014-05-27T18:40:00.000-05:002014-05-28T17:26:56.866-05:00Summoning 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Zalia
Thorne walked through the long corridor of the train, passing
compartments as she went until she finally settled into an empty one.
She placed her shoulder bag beneath the seat and settled her head
against the side of the compartment her eyes staring out the window
at the fog covered platform. There were no parents, family members to
wave good bye just more children filing onto the train. She wasn't
sure how she was supposed to feel about it, leaving home. Sad perhaps
maybe a little bit frightened and yet she simply felt numb.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">"Excuse
me is this seat taken?" a quiet little voice pulled Zalia from
her thoughts and turned her attention towards the compartment door.
There was a girl standing there, her hair was blond and in the dim
light could have been mistaken for white, her skin was just was pale,
almost sickly looking and her eyes the colour of the darkest brown.
She looked as though one gust of wind would snap her in two and the
thought amused Zalia.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">"Go
ahead" she said simply her voice showing her lack of interest in
the concept. Whether or not the girl took the seat across from her
held no bearing for her trip.<br />“Welcome Students” a shrill and
overly enthusiastic voice echoed through a static filled intercom.
“The train will be departing for The Academy in precisely ten
minutes, we ask that you take this time to change into your supplied
uniforms and someone will be by to inspect you shortly” as if on
cue another boy appeared at the compartment door. He didn’t ask
permission to enter he simply did so pulled up the input screen on
the side panel. Zalia watched as he entered his size requirements and
moments later it spat out a uniform. Grey slacks, white shirt, grey
sweater it was extremely lacking in the colour department though she
supposed that was the point. Turning her attention to her own side
panel she followed the instructions as he had and within moments held
a similar outfit, only in place of grey slacks she and the tiny girl
across the compartment from her had grey stockings and skirts.
Pulling the curtain around her seat Zalia changed from her long white
summoning dress and into the supplied clothing before, with the
simply wave of the hand the separation curtain retracted and she
slummed back down into her seat, her eyes returning to the platform
view. <br />“I’m Ilandra” the small little voice broke the
silence again and both she and the boy to her side turned their
attention to the girl across from them. “I’m from Sector E”
There were seven sectors across Westwell mostly divided by land type
or produce. E, O, I, S, R and finally A. <br />“Rykel, O” the boy
spoke. The roughness of his voice surprised her, or perhaps it was
the fact that he could speak at all, he had certainly seemed more
like the silent type than a conversational one. Both their eyes fell
to Zalia now as they waited for some form of introduction and she
turned away before she added.<br />“Zalia” I stated “Sector A”
I admitted not that it mattered anymore. These sectors were no longer
their homes. Some of them might be sorted back home eventually but
many of them would not be likely to see our homes again. The blond
girl went to open her mouth again when the compartment door flew
open. A chill settled over the space as a grey looking man stood
there. He was large enough to block the entire door, tall enough to
cast a shadow over all of them. “Up” he demanded his tone cold
and harsh. The three of them wasted no time getting to our feet as he
looked us over through dark rimmed squared spectacles. “Right arms
out, forearms up” he instructed next and they quickly slide up
their sleeves and outstretched their arms. “Names and Sectors”
<br />“Rykel Reese Sir, Sector O” suddenly the man pulled out a
long silvery device and held it down to the boys arm she watched as
Rykel flinched for a moment and as it was lifted away a black array
of numbers appeared across his arm with a small circular symbol
above. <br />“You!” the man stated to her and she turned her
attention from the marks to him.<br />“Zalia Thorne, Sector A” and
within second the burning pain had carved a set of numbers into her
arm as well. Her eyes settled on them and knew it was now her
identifying factor </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>070990
</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">she reached to run her
fingers across the raised skin before she was stopped by his sharp
tone. <br />“Don’t touch it you’ll get yourself an infection, you
girl, your name”<br />“Ilandra Rollins Sector E” the other girl
spoke meekly and it caused Zalia to roll her eyes, that was a good
way to get walked over for sure. Zalia watched as she too was marked
before the man continued.<br />“These marks are now your means of
identification you must scan your arm each time you enter in and out
of any classroom, or building during Academy hours of operation,
after hours you will be require to check into your dormitories by the
same methods is this clear?” and the three of them nodded in
unison. “Now check in by means of your screens so the Academy can
be assured you are on board” he said and moved to leave before
stopping “and for the love of Westwell straighten your shirt” he
stated to Rykel before slamming the compartment door shut behind
him.<br />“Well someone forgot his happy juice this morning” Zalia
commented before turning to the screen on her panel and allow the
mechanism to scan her arm. “let’s hope they’re not all that
miserable” Her eyes turned back to the other two now, Rykel seemed
unshaken but Ilandra looked close to tears. “Look you better
toughen up sweetheart because the Academy is designed to find and
prey on your weaknesses the best way to beat them is to not show them
any weaknesses at all” technically she knew the Academy was
designed to discover their strengths, and to pair them with those who
had likeminded or complimentary traits to reproduce, but they also
watched for your weaknesses as a method of division.<br />“And you’re
perfect?” Rykel growled at her.<br />“No” she stated simply. “I’m
just trying to be a realist here”<br />“No you’re being a
pessimist and the compartment could do without the negativity don’t
you think we’re all scared enough as it is” It was a thought that
had never occurred to Zalia, that the others might be frightened of
their journey. The realization silenced her quickly and her violet
eyes turned to the ground as she thought through that idea. It seemed
absurd, to be afraid when they’d all known since birth that the day
was approaching but maybe she had just been hardened to it. <br />“I’m
sorry” She spoke suddenly, not to Rykel but she lifted her eyes to
the small girl before her. “I didn’t mean to sound so harsh but I
don’t know about you I don’t want to end up in the Otherlands”
but even with her attempt at an apology she could hear the words came
out forced, she sounded so insincere no matter how much she actually
meant it. She was so focused on surviving the Academy, not only
surviving but excelling and hopefully gaining a place of nobility,
with a higher income and better perks. She hadn’t been destitute,
but her family had struggled on occasion to make it by, she wouldn’t
do that to her own children and if she didn’t have control over who
she married she was going to have control over something. The
Otherlands was the place the selectioners sent the undesirable
candidates, those who had been born unusual, that didn’t fit into
the textbook image of human perfection. The infertile, the mutated,
the deformed and sickly were all sent to the Otherlands to die and
Zalia would be damned if she, or anyone else in the compartment was
banished there. The screechy voice returned to the intercom as she
demanded that everyone take their seats and Zalia returned to her
place, her gaze fixed out the window as she watched the train move
down the track and the place she once knew as home disappear forever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>RYKELL</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The
jolt of a stopping train had shocked her awake and the site of her
sitting up in a semi-panic brought amusement to him. Served her right
for being a downer. As the announcement game over the intercom they
all stood and gathered their things entering the corridor to file off
into the receiving dock of The Academy. As he stepped out into the
cloud covered sun he squinted his cerulean eyes and lifted an arm to
shelter them from the suddenly light as the large building came into
view he was left speechless. He’d seen photos of The Academy
before, in school it was part of their history of course, part of
their culture but to actually see it first hand, was both frightening
and invigorating. The building was aged stone, and just a bleak and
grey as its surroundings but the size and history it held was enough
to urge him forward. Long before the fire had destroyed everything,
the Academy had been a castle a place that oozed history and charm,
that kings and queens had lived and ruled but as one of the only
freestanding buildings left it had been renovated for the program and
he hated to think what beauty and soul they had sucked out of it. The
only hint of color was the lush regrowth of forestry that held the
backdrop of the building itself. It was partitioned from the grounds
with no visible access that he could see, at least not at first
glance. He had one goal at the Academy, come out on top. He had lived
in the farthest and poorest section of Sector O, his father had died
when he was five and he had four older brothers to follow after. With
their mother’s job they had barely survived, it became a little
easier each time of them was Summoned until finally, he’d been
alone, and now, his mother was alone until, or unless he was sorted
back to Sector O an outcome he didn’t find all that likely. </span>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">WELCOME”
The booming voice shocked him out of his thoughts and his eyes
quickly turned to the front of the building. There she stood, and in
person she appeared more frightening than any photograph could have
portrayed. Her tall, boney figure and angular features made her
appear harsh, even with what could have passed as a slight smile on
her thin lips. “My name, as I’m certain most of you already know
is Director Tamesis Blake and I am in charge of the program, The
Academy and in turn, all of you” the idea was chilling, ownership
of their lives had never been in their possession, from birth they
were pledged to the program, The Academy had always owned him he’d
never been free. “Now for some introductory information, you will
each sit a brief written exam upon entering and from there you will
be divided into four profiles, you will then be housed and evaluated
with those of your likeness for the remainder of your time here” it
was really not time to be screwing up together and he felt tingling
nerves spreading through his arms at the idea that it was so final.
He turned his eyes next to him and found Zalia had taken to stopping
there. Typically she looked the same as ever, unthreatened and
unimpressed by the building, the events and the finality of what was
ahead of them. Maybe she was right, it didn’t really matter what he
wanted, he had no control, they’d never have any control.</span></div>
</div>
C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-68359526725845738312014-05-22T16:38:00.002-05:002014-05-22T16:38:09.688-05:00Dalton's part 10<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Despite her own strength, supporting Hunter as they tried to make their way from the building unnoticed was a more difficult task than she had initially bargained for. This whole scenario was just a great reminder of why she didn't date, talk about complicated. As she got him outside she leaned him against the building lettings her eyes take a quick assessment, ensuring he was in one piece. As she lifted her eyes to meet his she found he was staring at her with a blank, if not shocked look on his face. She took a moment to survey herself and realized she was covered from head to toe in blood spatter. Hesitating to speak she tried quickly to formulate a lie in her mind, but she couldn't think of anything that was believable. Lying was a special skill to a Dalton, it came second nature because the truth sounded more absurd than any lie could, and she knew that. "That was so bad ass" he said suddenly and it was her turn to look shocked.<br />
"You and I have a very different idea of that then" she said simply "That was survival plain and simple" She took no pleasure in it, and whether or not it was bad ass seemed irrelevant to her, her mind was set on the task, get the ring, get the boy.<br />
"What the hell were those?" he asked now pushing himself up off the ground and she moved to help him stand again.<br />
"Trust me sweetheart, you don't wanna know" she said. "but come on, lets get you out of here before the rest of them come back" She said. On foot, it was going to be one hell of an escape especially with his current state. If it had been a question of him or her, she might have just left him there, the truth was harsh but it was survival of the fittest. Despite the agonizing time it had taken them to get back into the city limits Lia felt a wave of relief wash over her. Still, she had stopped by the River to wash the blood off her face and hands as to not alarm the people around them, slipping off her jacket she turned her dress backward and placed the jacket back on to hide what blood might have shown through.<br />
"You're pretty skilled at that" Hunter observed and she shrugged her shoulders gently.<br />
"Unfortunately nothing to be proud of" that she had long since learned to hide blood spatter, it made her seem worse, if not the same as a psychopath.<br />
"So much for our first date" he added.<br />
"My first date" she informed him.<br />
"Wait what?"<br />
"It was my first date..."<br />
"Ever?" she nodded to confirm the fact and he looked confused. "Is that even possible, you're super hot" and the observation caused her to laugh slightly.<br />
"Thanks, I think?" it was a compliment, she knew that well enough but she still was uncertain how to take anything he said. Still she wasn't sure why she'd told him that, he seemed to be thinking about it more than she felt comfortable, she didn't typically like people analyzing things about her, the less people understood her the easier it was to keep them at a distance. The problem now was convincing him what he'd seen wasn't real, or somehow finding an explanation for it that wasn't going to ruin the rest of his life. The supernatural had a habit of doing that, ruining peoples lives and she tried to protect as many people from it as possible. She knew, that it was too late for her and her brothers, but if she could keep the rest of the world out of the life than at least she would have accomplished something.<br />
"Can you at least tell me what that was about?" he asked and she slipped the ring out of her pocket and flashed it quickly.<br />
"I told you, It wasn't mine" she said simply. "People get a little possessive about things like this, apparently it's worth killing for"<br />"So what? They're like the ring mafia?" he trailed off slightly before he stared at her again "Holy shit, you're a contract killer!" he said as though he'd just unraveled the secrets of the universe. "That's why you're so good at that, you're some kind of professional" he said and she narrowed her eyes in slight confusion. That was the first time anyone had ever thrown that theory out at her but the human mind had a way of pacifying itself, so many he had simply chosen not to remember, or to even see their fangs. It wasn't the worst theory out there, and it certainly gave her an easy enough out, after all when you were in that line of work you sort of needed to stay under the radar.<br />"And what if I am?" she asked cautiously trying to feel out the situation, was he going to talk to someone about this, if so she was going to do the one thing she'd been trying to avoid, sticking her brothers on him to make sure he didn't talk about any of it. There was a few moments of silence between them before he grinned brightly.<br />
"That's awesome!" and again she rolled her eyes, he really had a horrible concept of what was determined cool in societal standards. Still, it was better than having to explain to him that she'd just slaughtered an entire vampires nest in front of him.<br />"You need to keep what happened tonight between us" she spoke quickly, she couldn't have word of it getting out to anyone, it would make him a target even after she was gone.<br />
"Right sure, don't want to blow your cover and all that" He said casually and she stopped walking turning quickly she grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him toward her into a nearby alley way before pushing his back against the brick wall in the darkness, her expression threatening as she held her face an inch from his her green eyes glaring into him.<br />"You breath a word of this or me to anyone and I will singlehandedly make sure you have no more stories to tell, we clear?" her breath was heavy and her voice serious and calm hiding the tremble of fear that was hidden within her mind, the only thing worse than letting one of those bloodsuckers get away was getting caught and locked in either prison or worse a mental institution. Beneath her clenched fists the back of her hands were resting against his chest, she could feel the heavy beating of his heart as his blue eyes searched hers before he let out a gentle breath closing the space between them and capturing her lips against his own in a heated kiss. Was that a yes? God, he was truly infuriating, she could feel her blood boiling as the heat from it rushed to her face, or was that something else? Her grip on his shirt loosened but it wasn't, to her own surprise to pull away. Her hands moved instinctively behind his neck pulling herself closer. For the first time she could remember, she was really truly alone no one was making the decisions now but her. Suddenly his hands, that had been pressed against the wall were on her waist and with ease he lifted her from the ground and turned them both pressing her back now against the wall leaning in and trapping her hips with his as she wound her legs around him. His lips trailed from hers gently across her jaw line until he stopped next to her ear "Lia" he said, his voice was rough, short of breath. I uttered a sound that might have sounded like an acknowledgement but my mind was running full speed, racing almost as quickly as my pulse which quickened as his hand came to rest on my thigh slowly inching its way up. "I'm going to marry you" the laugh escaped her throat maybe too quickly, but she had already gotten a good hold on his warped sense of humor.<br />"Hunter" she responded her eyes closed as his warm breath against her skin cause her skin to raise her steady breathing followed by a sudden gasp. "Just shut up and kiss me"<br />
<br /></div>
C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-52799690949435558262014-05-21T16:42:00.002-05:002014-05-21T16:42:24.090-05:00A European Adventure<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well that was certainly a long time to disappear but I swear I had a good excuse. I was traveling around Europe with an extremely well packed backpack and a good friend by my side. In the short four weeks I managed a Journey that took me from Madrid, all to way to Dublin with several stops along the way. The experience was amazing, and time in places like Florence and London were more than inspirational for my writing. There was no manner of culture shock (aside from the fact that a bottle of wine in Madrid was one 1 Euro) but only an appreciation of beauty and cultural differences. Canada is a great place in its own right but it truly lacks the rich history that Europe had around ever single corner. You couldn't turn a corner, or witness a building without a story that surrounded it and hundreds of years of history and conflict entwined in the stones. I fell in love with the continent. I have always been a lover of history and royalty, the trip offered me insight and information on both, from the royal guard changing and parade in Madrid to Koningsdag in the Netherlands and a walk through Kensington gardens. It was surreal and so often I felt myself wondering if some of what I was seeing truly existed. Monaco, is quite truly Hollywood's version of a country, it is the idealistic Beverly Hills of Europe. White pebbled beaches, crystal clear water, every second store dedicated to Ferrari or Rolex. Simply walking down the streets felt safe, serene, and everything was clean and well taken care of there was no sense of unrest of safety issues, it was truly a dream.<br />
<br />
I've only been back a couple weeks and already I miss it there, more than I missed home while I was gone, what I wouldn't give now to be locked up in a country house in the hills of Tuscany writing away my novel with the warm breeze lofting through the windows. I can see the stairs of Florence now, and the Gardens, a place I could have spent so many days just basking in the history and beauty.</div>
C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-79156755249242495032014-03-04T16:51:00.000-06:002014-03-11T14:25:57.046-05:00Untimely Terror<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">The scream escaping her lungs sounded so
unnatural, even to her own ears, yet the ear splitting sound had certainly come
from within. The room, was drenched in crimson, blood spatter from floor to ceiling
as her parents, or what she could make out of them lay sprawled in a puddle of
their own blood. She was frozen, in shock certainly but the only movement her
body seemed to be able to make was the screams of horror that she would hope
could wake the dead. Her brother came
running into the room after her and let out a cry of horror before he grabbed
her, picking her up in his arms and pulling her from the room. She screamed
fighting his hold and reaching over his shoulder towards the room, burning
tears streaming down her cheeks. “Kat!” her brother’s voice sounded shaky, he
was talking through tears of his own and yet she could hear him repeatedly
telling her to calm down. How could he expect her to calm down when he couldn’t
keep himself calm? “Kat calm down please” he begged her but she did nothing but
scream. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“Kat?” her
dark green eyes lifted from the spot on the rug in which she’d been focusing on, taking into her vision Dr. Moore staring at her expectantly, pen in hand note
book at the read waiting to judge, to interpret. <br />
“I’m sorry, what was the question?” she asked boredly shifting her weight on
the couch to a more comfortable position. Over the past three years she had
grown accustomed to tuning out in her sessions, no progress was being made and
yet her Aunt insisted they continued with the treatment until some acceptance could
surface. <br />
“Have the nightmares subsided since we discussed those focusing and redirecting
exercises?” Kat did everything in her power not to scoff at the idea. Dr. Moore
was a nice enough person, she was just trying to help but considering the fact
that she had no answers to what had happened that night, Kat wasn’t going to be
able to come to any sort of acceptance not until she knew what had really
happened. <br />
“Nope” she stated simply her eyes holding steady with a bit of a smile on her
lips. “No offence or anything Dr. Moore but I really don’t think they’re going
to stop anytime soon” She stated. Even Jared still had the nightmares, that
much she knew, but evidently he was a far better liar than she was, enough so
to finally get out of therapy for good. Of course, being a legal adult now gave
him that advantage over her as well, she could only wait for the day that she
was free to make her own decisions.<br />
“Kat do you understand the concerns?” she asked again for what seemed like the hundredth
time since these sessions had begun. She simply shrugged her shoulders as she
waited for the explanation to ensue. <br />
“You Aunt and Uncle are concerned with your emotional state, they feel that
by not coming to an acceptance about your parents death, that you are
preventing yourself from being able to move forward” <br />
“I don’t want to move forward. I want to know why it happened” she retorted
with ease, was it too much to ask for answers? “Everyone else may be
comfortable with forgetting and moving on happily in their delusional little
lives but I will never be” she assured her. “And you can tell them I said that”
with that she stood from her place on the couch and grabbing her bag headed
towards the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“We still
have time left” <br />
“Great… just bill them”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Kat stood
on the sidewalk in front of the office building waiting for her ride. As the familiar
honk caught her attention she turned to see her brother’s black pathfinder
pulling up to the curb and she shifted her bag before hurrying to get inside.
Opening the door she tossed her bag on the ground before pulling herself up
into the front seat fastening her seatbelt before turning her attention to her
brother. Jared was so unlike her in every way, his deep brown eyes were soulful,
while her green ones were menacing, and her chocolate brown hair was countered
with his contrasting blond. Their temperaments differed greatly too, he was
always the more practical one, level headed, in control. She envied him, and it
didn’t help that people were constantly comparing them. <br />
“So how did it go?” he asked curiously as he shifted the vehicle into drive and
pulled away from the building. <br />
“Oh you know, as well as to be expected” she said casually and she actually managed
to get a laugh from him.<br />
“So the usual then?” <br />
“I thought therapy was supposed to be private?” she said a jokingly defensive
tone in her voice. He knew that she said nothing in therapy that she would never
say to him.<br />
“I thought therapy was supposed to be productive” he countered and an amused
smile settled on her lips as she turned her attention out the window. <br />
“Touché” <br />
“How long are you going to keep this up?” he questioned her curiously and she
flipped her eyes back to him. <br />
“As long as it takes” she wasn’t going to just give up. Three years had passed
since the day she had walked in to find her parents dead, and it still replayed
through her mind as vividly as if she were still standing right there. “It just
doesn’t make sense, you know it doesn’t don’t pretend to me you’re suddenly on
the move on bandwagon” <br />
“Three years in a long time Kat, I mean most cases go cold in forty-eight hours
you know that, just because we want to find out what happened, doesn’t mean we
ever will. I don’t want to spend the rest of our lives obsessed with this, Mom
and Dad wouldn’t have wanted that” she closed her hands tightly into fists as
her green eyes narrowed at her brother.<br />
“She got to you, Gertrude got to you”<br />
“Okay, cut the dramatics, no one got to me, It’s just my opinion.” He sounded so
sure that she almost believed him, except that he had that same lost look in
his eyes, the same missing piece of the puzzle she saw each time she looked in
the mirror. It was because of this she didn’t push, after all Jared was the
only one she had left who understood her. <br />
“Whatever you say brother”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-53062964801629196782014-01-17T17:00:00.000-06:002014-01-21T12:36:27.190-06:00Summoning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="quoteText" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
“Some say the world will end in fire,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some say in ice.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From what I've tasted of desire,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hold with those who favor fire. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But if it had to perish twice</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think I know enough of hate</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To say that for destruction ice</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Is also great</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And would suffice.”</div>
</h1>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">― <span style="background-color: transparent;">Robert Frost</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US">Zalia had
long known this day was coming, the Summoning day. A birthday, she was told,
had once been an occasion to celebrate and yet for her it was something she had
dreaded most of her life. Her 16<sup>th</sup> year marked the time where she
was of age to be evaluated sent to the academy for pairing. Her eyes glanced
around her at the others who had reached their sixteenth year that month, there
were only about ten of them in their sector and most of them she had known
since birth. Their walk through the dusty grounds that had once been lush crop
fields meant the edge of her white dress was growing greyer with each step she
took towards the train. White clothes were customary for Summoning day a
reminder of what you were being sent to achieve. The Kingdom of Westwell had
placed the pairing law into effect after the great fire had destroyed everything,
and almost everyone. Marriage was not only mandatory but it was arranged. Every
surviving sixteen year old across the Sectors was rounded up and shipped to the
Academy. It was there she would be evaluated and paired with a husband and they
would be assigned employment, a sector and a reproduction schedule and once
they turned eighteen they would be married and shipped off together. If her parents’
pairing was anything to go off of she doubted she would have an enjoyable life.
Her father was a pleasant man, hardworking and cared for them as a father was
meant to but her mother, her mother resented everything about her life and in
turn Zalia and her siblings had been a target for her resentment. There was an
upside to the academy, a life away from the daily poison her mother spewed at
them in the form of hateful words, in slammed doors and passive aggressive actions.
She would, perhaps miss her father in time and her siblings would be sent to
their own lives, in time perhaps she would see them, or never again it didn’t
matter much, it was no shock to her that this day had come, only the speed
which it had arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
“So what do
you think it’s like?” a voice spoke suddenly and it took a moment for her to
realize the question had been directed to her. “The Academy I mean” her violet
eyes settled on the boy beside her and she simply shrugged her shoulders.</div>
<span lang="EN-US"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Efficient” she said a hint of sarcasm in her otherwise emotionless voice. She
had no care what the academy was like; the venture wasn’t one of excitement, at
least not for her. </span></div>
<span lang="EN-US">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Well I’ve heard they’ve added an exception to the rules” he continued and her
shoulders tensed as she closed her eyes. She was uncertain why he was talking
to her, she was quite sure there was nothing about her that deemed her
welcoming. “There’s been whispers that if you fall in love while in the
academy, they’ll allow you to complete your own pairing” her eyes opened quickly and turned to the boy. </span></div>
<span lang="EN-US">
</span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Rubbish” she said hesitantly, she might have heard something of it herself if
that had been going on. “they would never relinquish that power over us” she
said angrily. Dreamers like him, gossipers did nothing more than give false
hope to those where there was none. “And that is the only thing you can be sure
to count on”</span></div>
<span lang="EN-US">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
</span></div>
C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-90281596795915159682013-11-12T13:05:00.000-06:002013-11-12T13:05:30.670-06:00Dalton's Part 9<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The abandoned chocolate factory in the warehouse district of town hardly seemed threatening. The purple and white peeling paint from it's exterior suggested it had once been a busy place, admired by people that past by, everyone wondering what secrets were going into their favorite candies. Now, it was just another old building in a decrepit part of a small town that was wasting away as the years went by. As Lia stood on the perimeter she couldn't help but think about the fact that her father had worked in a factory much like this one, working long hours just to make sure she and her siblings never saw a single moment of the hunting business. Instead, here she was, he was dead and she was waiting to take on a nest full of vampires all on her own, it was safe to say she wasn't living his dream. Her green eyes focused on the entrance, she was at a disadvantage once again. The night was when they were at their strongest, and also when they could escape with ease, with no sunlight providing her backup this was a dangerous fight, especially to do alone. Biting her lip in thought she looked for a higher entrance, she wasn't going to just walk in the front of the building after all, they'd see her and it would be game over before she'd even finished formulating a plan. "Fuck it" she muttered and took off quickly toward the building, in a few short leaps she'd pulled herself up the fire escape with little effort before finding a broken window to squeeze through. That seemed irresponsible of them, leaving it exposed but for all she knew, they'd only just arrived here maybe they hadn't had time to put the place on lock down, which was currently to her benefit. Her feet landed on the floor with a thud as the dust kicked up around her boots. She held her breath for a moment as the sound echoed through the hall, she waited but no sound headed in her direction. With that, she turned and hurried the the lowest part of the building. They preferred the ground floor, less sunlight, easier to contain, and it was a lot easier to see potential threats coming. Sometimes she wondered how she had learned to think like a monster, where they went, how they planned, it was all permanently placed in the front of her mind for recall so that in situations like this, she could get her man out alive. Not that he was her man, she shook her head clear of any thoughts of Hunter, it was just an expression she needed to focus. Finding the nearest stair case she kept her back pressed against the wall as she descended towards the sounds. The further down she got, the louder the murmers became. She stopped suddenly her breath catching in her throat as a voice erupted clearly from the noise.<br />
"Kalika don't eat that" the voice said with annoyance. Closing her eyes Lia tried to picture their placements around the room, the way the voices were projecting, the sounds bouncing off the walls gave her a vague idea of how many were in there, they were gathered around something their voices were coming from far too many directions to be in one area of the room.<br />
"Why...what's it going to do? Kill me?" a girls voice asked bitterly as Lia heard the sound of tearing wrappers. She was eating the chocolate, well that thought was unappetizing."Besides I wouldn't if you let me sink my teeth into him" her voice shifted, she had turned her head toward something. Hunter, they had him in there.<br />
"Not yet" the voice warned and it almost sounded like a growl escaped the man. "He was the barer of the ring, he is to be unharmed for now! He's leverage"<br />
"For what? I thought we only needed the ring. We have the ring" the girls voice was whiny the type of girl who made Lia want to smash their heads into the wall when she heard them whining at their boyfriends. If this girl couldn't take care of herself she had certainly chosen the wrong creature to become, especially with hunters like her out there.<br />
"To activate we need a human to willing put the ring on... do you have another idiot human stashed away for us?" his voice was condescending at best and caused Lia to rolled her eyes, it was like a flashback to training with her grandfather. "No one touches him, that's an order" the man said as she heard him walkaway, a door slamming behind him. She moved closer to the door, catching her sleeve on an outstretched nail from the wall and she froze as she felt it tear at her skin. A suddenly silence came from the room and Lia knew they'd smelled the blood. Her plan was all shot to hell now, so she turned the corner charging into the room with an all to assured confidence.<br />
"Blood and Chocolate? Thought that was a werewolf thing" she joked twirling the machete in her hand trying to keep her nerves at bay. Each time she got into a situation like this, it always ended badly for someone, and it was usually never for herself. Her eyes were on Hunter, in the distance, tied up to a chair in the corner, his head slumped over his chest, unconscious. She tried to do the weight math, could she carry him out of there if she needed to? She wasn't so sure at this point but it was something she was going to have to worry about later.<br />
"Come here for you boyfriend?" a voice challenged "Sorry we think we'll keep him, look at that strength he'd make a perfect addition" the whiny girl said her red eyes flashing dangerously.<br />
"Oh sweetheart you picked the wrong hunter to piss off" Lia said simply besides she was there for the ring, and also Hunter but she needed to find out where they had the ring before she went into full on rescue mode. "I'm here for a little piece of jewelry of mine you stole. Look, hand them over and I walk away" it was a promise she'd never made a creature before, an offer she would likely never make again in fact, it was still up in the air now whether or not she would keep her word on that.<br />
"And if we don't?" the question caused a confident smirk to settle on he lips.<br />
"Then I slaughter you all and burn you to the ground" she watched them carefully and she could sense fear rising in the room, they knew she could do it. As her eyes took them in she did the math, there were about five of them, of the four girls two of them were newborns, so was the boy, the other two girls had a little more experience on their side but still, nothing compared to what Lia had taken care of in the past. This was her first strike alone, but what was a handful of Vampires against her experience.<br />
"You sound pretty sure of yourself little girl" the eldest one taunted but Lia knew she had the advantage already they were all staring at her arm, concentrating on the blood, she had their attention, for now.<br />
"That's because I am" she said lunging forward she had started the war with the first move now they were coming at her. She ducked quickly sliding beneath them turning and swinging the machete to catch the head of the eldest from behind. She twirled then catching another girl watching her collapse to the ground before the youngest three backed away despite the obvious blood lust in their eyes. "I told you to walk away" Lia said sadly but the sound of waking caught her attention off guard. It was her first mistake as the whiny girl charged at her knocking her to the ground. Lia lost hold of her knife but lifting her arms above her head brought her elbows down hard on the vampires' arms and flipped the both of them over before managing to get hold of her knife again. She raised her arm to swing it down just as she felt someone's grip closing around her wrist and yanking her back. The second girl was fighting back now. Lia fought the grip and lifted her boot swinging her leg around to sweep the creature's out and knock her to the ground. "Why can't you ever just play nice" she said sounding almost bored with the situation before she took the creatures head off with one swoop and swung her arm back just in time to do the same to the whiner who had managed to get herself back off the ground. "Anyone else?" she asked but the only one left in the room was the boy, the newborn. Her eyes took him in for a moment, he was the only one who hadn't attacked her, even at the scent of blood. A pang of sympathy hit her. "Go! You won't get this chance again" She told him and watched as he stumbled to his feet and headed towards the door. Her eyes then settled to Hunter who had fully woken up by now and was staring at her in shock. Well, she was hoping he was going to have been passed out for that, now she had some explaining to do. Hurrying over to him she untied his restraints. "The ring where is it?" she asked and he just stared at her before he nodded his head to the side. She looked at the table where the ring was sitting in the center and she moved quickly to pocket it before helping Hunter up from the chair. "We have to move...now!" </div>
C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-7292070320615292092013-09-25T13:24:00.000-05:002014-06-03T15:44:42.790-05:00Red Handed: Short story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Tala ran as
fast as her feet would carry her. She
didn’t even give time to think about the attention she was drawing to herself
as she hurried through the dark streets, her hands dripping blood. She didn’t
know where her clothes had gone but she was running through the streets in
nothing more than a borrowed dress shirt in too crimson in the blood of another.
Her eyes could barely focus and the light of the moon seemed too bright as her
blue eyes squinted. Her feet were bare, scratched with rocks and glass with
each step she took. A hand grasped her arm and she heard a distant sounding
voice asking If she was okay. She ripped her arm away and turned the corner
stumbling into the nearest alley. Tears began to stream down her cheeks, hot against
her skin in the cold damp night. As she came to a stop against the wall she
slid down to the ground trying not to think of what filth was against her bare
skin. Her eyes were blurred with tears but she could feel her body shaking closed
her eyes for a moment she listened as her heart raced within her chest her
hands resting on her knees bloody palms up to the sky. What had she done? She didn’t
remember any of it, not after the bar. Her mind flashed back to the apartment,
she woken up in. There had been blood everywhere, the bed, the walls, the floor
and none of it as far as she could tell, belonged to her. She didn’t know who
it belonged to but judging from the state of her hands she could only assume
she’d had something to do with it. The moment she’d heard someone in the hall
she’d bolted through the fire escape and out into the streets and she didn’t
stop running. She stared at her hands and took a careful breath as she felt her
ribs tighten. Her body ached, every muscle, every joint felt like it had been
ripped and snapped just to be taped back together with hope to heal. A voice,
still distant sounding pulled her out of her trance. “Miss Canagan” her bright
blue eyes lifted to gaze at the man who had spoken to her, golden eyes stared
back at her but the shadows seemed to conceal the rest of him. She could barely
make out the features of his face but she was certain he was smirking at her. “You’ve
been frighteningly easy to track” he said stepping closer and crouching down so
he was suddenly at eye level with her. His eyes looked her over as though he
were inspecting a new car he was considering buying. His eyes stopped at her
hands and if there had been any doubt of a smirk before, it was obvious now as
watched him. “A shame about your boyfriend, I’m sure you two would have been a
match made in heaven…you know, if you hadn’t ripped him to shreds” he said and
the memories carefully creeped back into her mind. Boyfriend, no she didn’t
have one of those, but there had been a guy at the bar, she’d gone home with
him and she’d-- the thought of what he’d said caused her to lose whatever was
left of her lunch as she leaned over and threw up in the alley, tears appearing
in her eyes again. “Ah yes, get him out of your system” he commented which
really wasn’t helping manners. He waited for a few seconds before he gripped
her arms tightly pulling her with force off the ground. “There’s no time for
your conscience they’re looking for you and you need to be briefed on a cover…you’re
coming with me” he said harshly his voice sounded almost like a growl as I
stared at him but didn’t fight the hold. Whoever, or whatever was planned for
her, it couldn’t have been worse than what she’d just done, what she’d woken up
to find. She noticed her body was still shaking but she nodded accepting the
unknown fate. “Now, there’s a good girl”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-5426572935574164382013-09-23T16:13:00.001-05:002013-09-23T16:13:24.995-05:00How well read are you?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="WordSection1">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br />I was thinking the other day about high school literature, I still get shocked when I find people haven't read or studied certain classic novels or plays. Then as I started to think about all the ones that I did study in the short four years of high school I realized the list was relatively extensive. This was JUST for English class, not to mention plays for Theatre (some of which, thank god they worked together and crossed our projects over) and reading for enjoyment (something I do a lot of). This didn't include our study of Mythology where we did whole units on stories of the Greek God's studying creation stories of all different religions. This also didn't include Bible or World Religions studies or readings either. For one subject, In five years I read 41 books and plays, that about 8.2 books a year, which is almost one a month for every month I was in school. Wow. Of course some years were more heavy than others, and this is a list of just the ones I happen to remember reading, I'm sure there were others that didn't make quite an impression.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Chrysalid's<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The
Outsiders</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Midsummer
Night’s Dream<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Little
Women<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">To Kill a
Mocking Bird<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Heat of
the Night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Frankenstein<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Dracula</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Anne Frank<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Flowers for
Algernon <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Of Mice and
Men<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Romeo and
Juliet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Rebecca <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Jane Eyre<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Wuthering
Heights<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The
Crystal Cave<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Twelfth
Night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Catcher in
the Rye<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">1984<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Animal Farm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Greek
Mythology <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Beowulf <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Morte D’arthur
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Macbeth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Huck Finn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">A Separate
Peace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Lord of the
Flies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Much Ado
about Nothing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Death of a
Salesman<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The
Crucible<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Glass Menagerie</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Tuesdays
with Morrie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Joy
Luck Club<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Pride &
Prejudice<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Little
Prince<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">King Lear<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">A Doll’s
House<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Oedipus Rex<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Rosencrantz
and Guildenstern are Dead<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Stone Angel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Hamlet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Has all of that made me a more informed person? I'm not sure, I look around at my class and know we all read relatively the same things, saw the same words, did the same questions and assignments. What did we all take from it? Certainly not the same things, despite the efforts of a Preparatory education no two people are the same and so we never get the same things out of something. Begs me to think of my writing, it's both a fascinating and terrifying reality that people perceive things differently. What I write on the page may not be what they imagine in their minds, my world could turn out completely different to someone else. It's both exciting and the nerves got mad at the thought of it. It's the same reason people prefer one character over another the ever famous Peeta vs Gale fanbase. Different aspects of characters or stories appeal to different people in different places in their lives. It's the reason my characters range from 15 to 50 in my novel. Different personalities, different careers, places in their lives. We've got meek, strong, laid back, funny and down right psychotic a little something for everyone.<br />
<br />
So what do we think? The more the read the better off we are? Or is it all about the perception of what we read that expands out minds?</div>
</div>
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C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-81815688577237714242013-09-18T17:53:00.001-05:002013-09-18T17:53:48.701-05:00Daltons Part 8<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>This is Part 8 continuation of the Dalton's story. The rest of the links can be found throughout the blog. Stay tuned for continuations.</i><br />
<br />
"You were on a what?" Jake asked for about the third time since the three of them had met up at the park.<br />
"A Date! Jake shut up that's not the important part of the story" Lia said exasperated from trying to get their attention again and again when they were both fixated on the fact that she had lied to them about where she'd been going, honestly they lied for a living she didn't understand why they were so utterly shocked.<br />
"Why were you on a date?" Jimmy added in confusion obvious in her voice and she buried her eyes in her hand.<br />
"Dear God, give me strength" she muttered "because someone asked, and because I was trying to get that ring back" she reminded them.<br />
"You could have just taken it back-" Jake said.<br />
"Yeah where did the date come in, I'm still lost on that" Jimmy admitted.<br />
"BOYS!" Lia shouted "Focus! Vampires, ring, Hunter, missing!"<br />
"He's a hunter?" Jake said and she could almost see his need to punch someone right then and there.<br />
"No! His name is Hunter" one more of these and she might just end up punching him herself. "We're wasting time if you're not going to be helpful I'll track them myself"<br />
"Oh like hell Lia, you're not hunting alone you know that's not an option" Jake said going back into full on protective big brother mode, which didn't bode well for hunter when and if they found him. When, she needed to focus on that word rather than the possibility that they weren't going to find him. "This just doesn't make any sense, we kill the whole nest!" he reminded her.<br />
"Then there's another nest.." she said simply "He said 'you weren't exactly subtle' which means they aren't the only ones who know we're here. They also know about the ring..."<br />
"Which brings us back to that Tristan kid" Jake muttered and Lia looked at him. "What? Come on Lia, even you aren't that naive, that kid knew exactly what the ring was, the very reason he hadn't put it on. He wanted you to find it, he's using us for something, the question is what"<br />
"But he sounded pretty upset that I didn't have it" she protested<br />
"Of course he did because with us, it's safe, we aren't going to put it on, use it, lose it.... he needed us to find something on it for him, we just need to figure out what that is before he does, which means we have to get it back from those bloodsuckers" and suddenly he was in full on hunting mode.<br />
"Jimmy research, we burned that warehouse to the ground so find any other abandoned buildings in town or surroundings. They're going to have to be large if they're building another nest, maybe a barn or another warehouse. Where ever they are, find it" he told him. "Lia, you're gonna help me track you were the only one who was here where did you leave that wounded one?" he asked and she led him quickly across the park to the tree where she had wounded him. Jake's blue eyes wandered over the bark and the surrounding ground before shining his flashlight on it "Black blood...you wounded him pretty badly" he said as he followed the trail with the light. "enough that it didn't heal right away, he's trailed blood all through the part" he muttered and followed it quickly. The trail stopped eventually.<br />
"He wouldn't get too far without feeding" Lia said glancing around "Not if he was hurt that badly, he'd need the fresh blood to heal faster"<br />
"Great so now we're looking for two bodies? Way to go Lia" Jake said harshly and she stopped in her steps.<br />
"This- this isn't my fault" she said but there was a hesitation in her voice that was uncertain. Jake had never blamed her for anything before, not out loud, she had always done a good enough job of doing that for herself. She blamed herself for her parents death, for not coming home from school sooner, not being able to stop it, or to be with them when it had happened. She blamed herself for their Grandfather's death on the job, if she'd only listened to him when he had told her she wasn't ready to hunt on her own, he never would have come after her and he never would have been killed. There were so many things she carried around on her shoulders that they didn't even know about to have him throw it directly in her face seemed to have broken down some sort of barrier she'd been keeping it all behind.<br />
"Of course it is if you had just stayed with us at supper you never would have found that ring, you never would have met that guy in the bar, he wouldn't have taken the ring and you certainly wouldn't have been on a date and had this poor guy kidnapped by fucking vampires" he hissed. She stared at him in shock for a few seconds before she realized he was right. She was always hurting people, with her day to day decisions there was always some sort of domino effect that caused trouble, like it followed her around waiting to come out.<br />
"Screw you Jake" She said as forcefully as possibly but she was fighting tears as she turned and bolted from the park. This was pointless, Hunter wasn't here they'd already taken him and the park wasn't going to give them any answers.<br />
"LIA!" she heard coming from behind her but she just ran faster. The further she ran the more time her mind had to think about what she'd seen around town, the places people frequented the ones they avoided. She stopped suddenly as a thought hit her and she pulled out her phone to check. A smile smile crossed her lips at the realization. She knew exactly where they were, and if it was the last thing she did she was going to get him out of there, alive.</div>
C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-37433727760990870052013-09-17T12:52:00.000-05:002013-09-17T12:55:02.513-05:00Dalton's Part 7<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Dalton's Short Story, Fantasy Fiction continues with Part 7<br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US">PART ONE: </span><a href="http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/04/a-daltons-short-story.html">http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/04/a-daltons-short-story.html</a><br />
<br />
PART TWO: <a href="http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/07/a-daltons-short-story-ctd.html">http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/07/a-daltons-short-story-ctd.html</a><br />
<br />
PART THREE: <a href="http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/07/daltons-part-3.html">http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/07/daltons-part-3.html</a><br />
<br />
PART FOUR: <a href="http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/07/daltons-part-4.html">http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/07/daltons-part-4.html</a><br />
<br />
PART FIVE: <a href="http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/08/daltons-part-5.html">http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/08/daltons-part-5.html</a><br />
<br />
PART SIX: <a href="http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/09/part-6.html">http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/09/part-6.html</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"OW!" Well this was boding well so far. "Jesus if you're going to blindfold someone and expect them to trust you, tip? Don't lead them into every single thing in their way!" Lia said her voice had gone from patient to annoyed relatively quickly<br />
<div>
"Sorry..." he said but she could hear a hint of laughter in his voice "and don't call me Jesus" he added.</div>
<div>
"Hilarious" she muttered but the more they walked she began to hear more people, which was either comforting or terrifying. "Why are we in the park?" she asked suddenly which caused him to stop abruptly. </div>
<div>
"What- how did you know?"</div>
<div>
"Well, we've been walking for a while and we started on pavement but you've led me over grass most of the way, a couple rocks, I've stumbled over two stumps and been hit in the face with tree branches and now there's commotion so... we're in a park" she said matter of factly. </div>
<div>
"Wow you weren't kidding about that training" he added and she shook her head, she rarely joked about anything but especially about her training. "We're here anyway" he said and carefully took the blindfold off. It took a moment for her green eyes to adjust to the dim evening light setting on the Horizon but as she started to take it in, she realized she had been right, they were definitely in a park.</div>
<div>
"What is this?" She asked confused.</div>
<div>
"Movie in the park.. you don't have that where you're from?" He asked<br />
"I'm not really 'from' anywhere remember" she pointed out and for all she knew, this was sort of a thing, just one she'd never really had time for. She realised the way she made it sound, it seemed like she was an alien or something, not from this planet, let alone the country.<br />
"Well then it's a first even better, how are my chances now?" he joked and offered a wink that caused her to roll her eyes.<br />
"Don't get too cocky" she warned him, just offering a sliver of hope. It really didn't matter, she knew that she'd likely be gone tomorrow, at worst the day after that she had been doing this to get the ring back, it was as simple as that. Her eyes observed the people around her and once again marveled at the normalcy of the situation. She couldn't even recall the last thing she had done that anyone would deem normal, what was a normal life for her was something out of a horror film for others. As the movie started she took a seat with him on the grass but instead of really watching she couldn't seem to get him to shut up. The problem was, the more he talked about himself, the more she found herself actually starting to like him. He wasn't completely annoying, he seemed to put on a pretty good show of it though. A kiss caught her off guard as the sun began to fully disappear behind the trees, and despite her uncaring attitude she found herself lost in that same feeling from the bar, utter consumption of her senses completely lost in the moment. The sun had been hidden from the horizon for only a few minutes when a cold and all too familiar feeling settled over her. Her muscles froze and her stomach tightened as she pulled away from the kiss she turned her heard to look around. Was this paranoia? Her green eyes found them in seconds. To anyone else they might have looked normal, beautiful even but she could see everything wrong with them even from a distance. Their skin, was pale odd for the middle of the summer, but it was the translucency that stood out, the firmness, the utter perfection of their complexion. "Shit" she muttered under her breath which caused a sideways glance from Hunter.<br />
"What?" he asked curiously glancing around but his untrained eye didn't see it, not as clearly as she saw.<br />
"Nothing, I was supposed to call someone and check in" she admitted. "I'll be right back" she said grabbing her bag and standing up quickly. She moved into the trees and felt in her bag for supplies. She didn't have much, her gun and salt were useless in this situation holy water was her only ally. Breaking a branch of the tree she uncapped her flask and poured some on the tip.<br />
"That for me?" a voice came from in front of her and she lifted her head quickly to see one of them standing there before her, his smile too confident.<br />
"No, but this is" she assured him splashing the holy water into his face she heard the sizzle of his skin and it gave her enough time to push off the tree and reverse the hold. Turning she avoided his grab and kicked him back into the tree lurching forward driving the edge of the branch into his chest. A wooden stake was a little cliche, she knew that much and she also knew it didn't kill them, not even if you hit their heart. It hurt, but unless you left it in there, they could heal from it just like any other wound.<br />
He laughing through the pain "You know that can't kill me" he taunted and she smirked.<br />
"I know... but it hurts like a bitch" she said pressing the heel of her hand against it driving it into his chest further which caused another cry of pain. "What do you want" She said. More importantly where had they come from? They had slaughtered the entire nest, there had not been a single vampire alive when they'd walked out of that warehouse. "and how did you find me?"<br />
"Well your massacre was hardly subtle" he pointed out "besides word on the horizon is you have a ring... one we'd all very much like to get our hands on" she tilted her head in confusion, how did they know about the ring, as far as she could tell Travis and her brothers were the only ones who knew anything about it.<br />
"I don't have the ring" she stated, that wasn't a lie, after all wasn't that the whole reason she was on this date in the first place, to get it back into her possession.<br />
"Oh we know you don't... " he said and again the same confident, knowing grin appeared on his face.<br />
"Hunter..."she said and a panic rose in her chest. She drove the branch in a little further knowing it would be hell for him to get out and turned to run back to where they'd been sitting. Her stomach sank as she saw he was gone. Pulling out her phone she dialed the first number she had on speed dial and waiting for an answer. "Jake? We have a problem"</div>
</div>
C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-85947931120722840842013-09-16T16:20:00.004-05:002013-11-26T10:53:43.248-06:00The Novel Summary: The Lost Legacy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Finn Adams
thought she knew what her life had in store for her; a mundane existence of day
to day life. After meeting Eamon, the mysterious new boy at school and her
whole world is flipped upside down. When her mother goes missing, Finn soon discovers that she is a witch and she is being hunted for her power. Ripped from the only life she’s
ever known, Finn is transported across the country to
Broadhaven, Maine to discover the secrets she never knew about herself, her
heritage, and the tremendous power she’s kept hidden for so long. Her loyalties
are tested when she learns of her true parentage and discovers she is part of a prophecy, destined to awaken an ancient power that has been lost for centuries .
As she struggles to learn from her mother’s past, she is faced with the
ultimate struggle of good and evil, family or friends, she must learn who she
can trust and find the power within herself to stop the prophecy from coming
true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-90013611286003338522013-09-03T14:28:00.001-05:002013-09-04T10:49:40.114-05:00Part 6<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Dalton's Short Story, Fantasy Fiction continues with Part 6<br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US">PART ONE: </span><a href="http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/04/a-daltons-short-story.html">http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/04/a-daltons-short-story.html</a><br />
<br />
PART TWO: <a href="http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/07/a-daltons-short-story-ctd.html">http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/07/a-daltons-short-story-ctd.html</a><br />
<br />
PART THREE: <a href="http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/07/daltons-part-3.html">http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/07/daltons-part-3.html</a><br />
<br />
PART FOUR: <a href="http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/07/daltons-part-4.html">http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/07/daltons-part-4.html</a><br />
<br />
PART FIVE: <a href="http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/08/daltons-part-5.html">http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/08/daltons-part-5.html</a><br />
<br />
"Is that a dress?" James Dalton's voice inquired with a hint of surprise. "Are we going under cover or something?" he asked his sister as he watched her.<br />
"What? No...I just- " she couldn't tell him the truth. "Wanted to wear it is there a law against that or something?" Lia's dress selection was slim, she owned about two in total one, the one she had on now was more casual, a red linen sundress the other was a little dressier and usually only for serious undercover work. For the rest of her apparel it consisted most of jeans, cutoffs and plaid.<br />
"You just look weird that's all" he said. Great, she looked weird that was exactly what she wanted to hear. The dress was off faster than he'd said it and just as quickly she was back in dark straight leg jeans, her black combat boots with a red tank and her leather jacket. She actually felt more like herself in this, and what did it matter what she was wearing anyway, she wasn't going on a real date. Grabbing her bag she moved to the door and moved to leave.<br />
"Hey wait up I'll come with you where are you going?" Jimmy asked as he sat up from the bed.<br />
"No!" she said too quickly but she couldn't risk him actually wanting to come along. "You don't want to I have stuff to do-" though she couldn't exactly think of what she would need to do that required her older brother to stay behind. "girl stuff" she said hesitantly. It was weak at best but she had learned a long time ago in the Dalton house hold if you said you had girl stuff to deal with it made everyone uncomfortable and they would leave you alone.<br />
"Oh... err okay well good luck?" he said leaning back and she quickly made her way out of the room before he could have a chance to change his mind.<br />
***<br />
She had told him to meet her back in front of the diner for one reason, she didn't want him knowing where she was staying, and she also didn't want her brothers to have any idea what she was up to. This way, meeting on her own terms it was a win-win situation for her. Hearing a scartch on the pavement behind her she turned quickly, her hand on her bag ready to pull a weapon at the first sign of trouble. She relaxed slightly at the sight of Hunter standing there, the same stupid grin on his face. "Next time you sneak up on me like that I will cut you" she warned him and he laughed. Heh, if only she'd actually been kidding it may have been funny.<br />
"You look hot" he observed and she rolled her eyes. He really was just blunt, it was sort of refreshing to hear the honesty even if it wasn't exactly always the easiest thing to respond to. She was a liar, born and raised. It was difficult to reveal the truth on the best of days, and especially to a stranger.<br />
"Thanks" she responded simply and held out her hand. "Ring" she demanded.<br />
"You want a ring already? Well, that's a little soon, you're hot and all but I don't do marriage"<br />
"Do you take anything seriously?" she asked him "you know exactly what ring I'm talking about come on"<br />
"and you know you're not getting it back until after the date" he said with a grin and offered his arm.<br />
"I hate you" she muttered but took it anyway. She had to make the best of this, it was her own mess and it was her responsibility to clean it up.<br />
"No you don't, you just don't know me" he pointed out.<br />
"No but I know guys like you...and I hate you" she assured him. The over confident athlete who thought he could get any girl that he wanted to. That was not the case with her and she knew that, it was just a matter of making sure that he knew that.<br />
"Just suck it up princess, I promise you'll have fun" that was a very assuming promise.<br />
***<br />
The car ride to where ever he was taking her had started out awkwardly, the silence between them was so thick it could be cut with a knife. The longer he tried to talk to her the easier it became to just let him. He was right, it was one date and she was leaving so she could relax and let her guard down, after all he wasn't a demon she'd already figured that one out. For the first time in a long time she felt normal. She laughed at his stories as they drove and the hunt and her life was the furthest thing from her mind. She watched him thoughtfully as he talked and for a moment he turned his eyes from the road to look at her and smiled, she smiled in return. He was so painfully normal, just a guy who had no idea who she was, what she did. She was envious of his life, though she suspected he was wasting it, the potential at least. A sadness settled into her as she realized how badly she wanted that. She'd never really thought anything of her life other than knowing it would never change. She didn't let herself care about people because as soon as she did they were taken from her, killed, possessed, or lost when she moved towns. For the first time in her life she actually let herself imagine what it was like to be human, blissfully ignorant and happy. "What's your favorite flower?" he asked suddenly and she turned from her thoughts back to the moment. She'd never been quite so stumped by a question before, but truthfully she didn't have one. To her, a flower was a flower and it wasn't like she had any good memories tied to any specific type.<br />
"I guess I don't have one" She admitted.<br />
"How is that possible, I thought girls obsessed about things like flowers" the wrong flower meant the wrong thing, boy had he learned that the hard way. "All those secret meanings and stuff, I swear you guys have a club" she laughed at the thought but shook her head.<br />
"Some girls maybe but I wouldn't know the difference" she assured him.<br />
"No ones ever given you 'the wrong flowers'?" He asked the disbelief obvious in his voice.<br />
"No, no ones ever given me flowers at all" She corrected and she lurched forward slightly as he hit the brakes.<br />
"What? No one's ever given you flowers? That's impossible..." he accused.<br />
"Ow!" she stated though it hadn't actually hurt, she'd been in some pretty bad crashes in her lifetime a little seat belt tension was hardly going to do any damage. "It's not impossible, it's the truth" he was staring at her like she was some sort of new species of animal at the zoo and it was making her slightly uncomfortable.<br />
"Wait here" he said putting the car into park and climbed out.<br />
"Wait where are you-" he shut the door behind him "going" she finished and with a sigh sat back in her seat. With her luck he was ditching her on the side of the road in a rental car. At least he'd left the keys, that was some sort of act of kindness. After a few minutes she was about to just get up and get out the car. Just as she was undoing her seat belt the door flew open and he slipped back inside handing her a handing of somewhat mangled flowers. She blinked in surprise and a hint of a smile crossed her lips. Seriously? He'd stopped the car to get her flowers, she might have laughed but it was surprisingly sweet, even if she wouldn't dare admit that. It was something she hadn't exactly expected from him. She wasn't exactly sure what she'd expected from him but in the back of her mind she hadn't exactly gotten a thoughtful vibe from him.<br />
"Yeah! I'm a nice guy" he told her in response to her surprised look "Well that, and I was kind of hoping it might help get me laid" he said a joking tone in his voice but she couldn't help thinking he was very serious.<br />
"Don't hold your breath, you'll pass out long before that happens" She told him but as she turned her attention to the window a small smile settled on her lips as she lifted the flowers to smell. Leaning her head forward she let her hair fall to cover her face and hide the smile that had formed there. For the first time in a long time she just felt like a girl, a normal girl on a somewhat abnormal but still enjoyable date. Damn it, she had been convinced he wouldn't deliver now it was going to be really hard to get him to leave her alone, she was going to have to pull one hell of an Oscar performance.<br />
After a couple more minutes of driving he stopped the car and got out and ran around to open her door before she even got the chance to get her seat belt off. "Thanks..." she said hesitantly. He didn't seem like the chivalrous type to be honest so there was a serious hint of doubt hanging in the back of her mind with every action he took to prove otherwise. <br />
"So I know you're not from here" he started "So where are you from?" It was a fair enough question the only problem being the fact that she didn't really have an answer for him.<br />
"I'm, not really from anywhere" She admitted, she had been born in Boston but hadn't been back since her parents had died. Since then they had moved around nearly every week into a new town. The only form of stability had been the lockbox cabin her grandfather had found in the woods somewhere down South. When she'd been really little they'd leave her there alone for days at a time for 'safety' when a hunt was too dangerous but once she'd turned 12 and made her first kill they hadn't needed to do that anymore. "We moved around a lot, still do"<br />
"Ah Military?" He asked and she could do nothing more than shrug her shoulders.<br />
"Something like that"<br />
"You don't talk much" he added and she laughed.<br />
"Yeah well I'm not my favorite topic" she confessed. She would love to be able to talk about herself, but she knew she couldn't, not with her past, and the type of work she did. The less he knew the better.<br />
"I'm from New Orleans.... if you were wondering" he changed the subject without question, something she appreciated and though she'd been dying to know, asking would imply interest and it was safer to remain with as little interest as possible.<br />
"I wasn't" She assured him, even thought she actually had been "I was really more wondering how you ended up here" she admitted as though she really wasn't wondering at all but she knew why she was in this town, she couldn't seem to figure out why on earth he would be.<br />
"Training camp... I'm a kick boxer I've got a match in a couple weeks this is my coach's home town he wanted to be able to spend some time with his family and train at the same time" he stated with a shrug. So she had been right, he was an overconfident athlete, apparently not a very good fighter, or at least not as good as she was. "you don't seem surprised..." he added and she shrugged her shoulders gently.<br />
"I knew you were some sort of jock it was just a matter of what sport...Where are we going?" she asked as she realised they were wandering through the public park with what seemed to be no direction.<br />
"You'll see" he assured her. "can I blind fold you?" he asked curiously with a smart hesitation in his voice.<br />
"Can I cut off your right hand?" she asked. She could see him hesitate for a moment, the look in his eyes as though he were considering weather or not she would actually do that.<br />
"I'm going to assume you're joking and do it anyway" he told her and next thing she knew her eyes were covered.<br />
"Just so you know I have sensory training" she warned him. Blindfolded combat had been one of the earlier traning exercises their grandfather had taught them and she was perfect capable of retaliating.<br />
"of course you do" he said with a laugh though he suspected that she was being quite serious. "Can you just relax and trust me?" he asked. It was a fair enough question, but trust was not something Amalia Dalton just gave to anyone, there were two people in her life that held her trust and it was only because they watched her back in dangerous situations each day, she had to trust them or she would die. Hunter, she didn't have to trust but something was preventing her from fighting him, she took it as a sign that he wasn't going to back track, she had an instinct about people, and as annoying as he seemed to be, her danger senses were seriously low.<br />
"Fine" she said carefully "I trust you"</div>
C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-17527566237158413952013-08-06T14:09:00.001-05:002013-08-06T14:09:52.256-05:00A twist of Fate<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Seriously wondering what the hell is wrong with me. I took a two month break from writing my novel (which by the way was close to a completely semi-finished first draft). I just suddenly was not motivated to continue and then I started focusing my attention on the short story which if you've been reading the blog you'll have seen at least one part of I'm sure. Finally yesterday I decided to bite the bullet and take a look at my other manuscript and try to do some more work on it.<br />
<br />
That was possibly the worst mistake of my life. In the 10 minutes I worked on it I threw in a twist that was completely out of left field. Now, it completely reworks the entire dynamic of the story and I have to go back and throw in hints and continue into the end while somehow working this extra tidbit into the basis of the story. I feel like this was some sort of form of procrastination, I was so close to being done and being done meant there was no where to go from there but into the editing process. Is changing the story my way of not finishing it?<br />
<br />
That's what I thought, however taking another 10 minutes today, I added in a few sentences reworked a couple paragraphs and suddenly I realised I had connected the seemingly giant gap that had prevented me from deeming this draft complete. Somehow, it is finished. By no means complete, or publishing ready as there had major corrections I have yet to go back and make not to mention this new twist needs to be added in earlier. The bones of the story however are entirely finished. I can't even figure out how this happened and I'm shocked. Now it's just a matter of taking the corrections I received, applying them and reworking, writing the story a little more until in my eyes it's acceptable to be viewed.<br />
<br />
Only one other person, aside from myself has been able to read my writing but considering the amount of time that it took me to actually complete the beginning of the novel (though I had changed it since) reads like a different style. I'm hoping now that the stress of finishing the story is over I can really work on improving the flow of the tale. Fiction is great in the sense that you can write whatever you want, but over time my mind jumped around so much in the story that its a wonder any of it connects at all.<br />
<br />
My chaotic mind is now working on formatting what I do have into a template and I will get to revise with my edits from that point. Wish me luck! Here's where the real work begins.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442643300625111824.post-22402843061230490182013-08-01T14:53:00.002-05:002013-09-03T14:19:07.304-05:00Daltons Part 5 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Dalton's Short Story, Fantasy Fiction continues with Part 5<br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US">PART ONE: </span><a href="http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/04/a-daltons-short-story.html">http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/04/a-daltons-short-story.html</a><br />
<br />
PART TWO: <a href="http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/07/a-daltons-short-story-ctd.html">http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/07/a-daltons-short-story-ctd.html</a><br />
<br />
PART THREE: <a href="http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/07/daltons-part-3.html">http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/07/daltons-part-3.html</a><br />
<br />
PART FOUR: <a href="http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/07/daltons-part-4.html">http://thewriteaddictions.blogspot.ca/2013/07/daltons-part-4.html</a><br />
<br />
Lia sighed as she heard the phone click on the other end. She felt like screaming, he had every right to be upset, she'd promised the ring would be safe with her and in the few minutes she'd let it out of her sight it had vanished. That guy, at the bar she should have known he was up to something, possibly even a demon, she hadn't bothered to check, that was how distracted she had been. When she'd kissed him, she hadn't been expecting to feel anything she had really just been trying to hide from her brothers. The trouble was, she had felt something, something far more than she'd ever expected and in those few seconds she'd allowed herself to be distracted enough to let the ring slip from her possession and now that idiot was wandering around town doing god knows what with it. This was where she hated to admit that Jake was right, he never let himself get distracted by a girl and in the one time she had everything had backfired on her, guys were trouble plain and simple. That rude, conceited, self absorbed pretty boy had her ring, Tristan's ring and there was nothing she could do about it until she found him. She hadn't even been able to tell her brothers the whole truth, she'd told them part of the truth, she had talked to a guy and he'd managed to take the ring from her. She'd left out the whole hiding and kissing part, what they didn't know wouldn't hurt them and she didn't feel like having to deal with their superiority complex right now. Putting her phone back in her bag she got out of the charger and started patrolling the town. He wasn't from there, but she hadn't really been interested enough to find out what he was doing there, she had nothing to go on but a first name and a vague description. If it had been a demon there was a good chance they'd stashed the ring and switched bodies to ensure she couldn't find them. God, she was an idiot; she had never considered herself a stupid person, but in that moment she was almost positive there wasn't a dumber hunter on the entire planet. As she made her way through town she kept her green eyes alert searching for any hint of him. Her first stop was the bar, if her instincts about this guy was right, he probably patrolled there on a regular basis which meant someone would have to recognize him, maybe even have an address for her. As she stepped up to the corner she heard her phone go off in her bag. Reaching in she answered it quickly "What is it Jimmy?" she paused for a moment listening to her brothers voice on the other end "You found him? No, don't, just watch him this is something I need to take care of myself" she told her brother. There was a score to settle and she had to be the one to do it.<br />
****<br />
"She said to leave him" Jimmy told his older brother with a shrug.<br />
"What? You're kidding me right? She sends us out on a man hunt and tells us to stand down?" Jake was already suspicious of this whole situation but even just as he got a look of this guy his protective instincts went up. Lia was the only sister he had, and the youngest in the family. Once their parents had died, then their Grandfather to follow it had been up to him to step into father mode and that meant making sure nothing happened to anyone else that he cared about. "I'm getting to old for this" he said running a hand along his cropped blond hair twenty-eight was by no means old, but he'd been doing this for fourteen years already, keeping his sister safe, keeping everyone safe, it was his job. Lia would be the death of him, and he didn't mean it in a bad sense. It was never a joke he would make out loud either because he knew, despite her tough exterior, that she blamed herself for the deaths of their family. He still didn't know how an eight year old could possibly rationalize blame for a brutal murder but somehow, she had and continued to do so. Everytime she was out of his sight he worried, what if she got hurt, killed, raped, pregnant, heart broken. He knew he'd trained her well, that their Grandfather had trained them all well but he couldn't stop worrying. He knew that if anything happened to Lia or Jimmy he would just give up on life, there wouldn't be anything left worth protecting, not for him at least. So, he was the hard-ass, he had to be to make sure they listened, to make sure they were safe. He would never be adventurous like Lia, or Carefree like Jimmy but he was the reason they could be both of those things, even if they never knew it. His cold blue eyes narrowed and focused on the guy inside, he was young and didn't look like much a demon but he also knew in their line of work you couldn't judge a book by it's cover. "Lets go" He stated moving inside the diner.<br />
"Jake Wait!" Jimmy said but followed him in anyway pulling him into the furthest booth from the guy. "She said to leave it!" he hissed quietly, normally he wasn't one to disobey his brothers lead but he also wanted to give Lia a chance to fix whatever exactly was going on here which she wouldn't be able to do, if Jake went all Big brother on the guy.<br />
"She also said to keep an eye on him...that's all we're doing relax" Jake said straightening himself up in the seat as his eyes fell back to the kid. "He doesn't look like a demon, an idiot yes, a demon no" he said quietly. The kid was staring at the ring like it was the answer to all of his problems. If Jake didn't know any better he might have classified the guy as lovesick.<br />
"How does he look like an idiot?" Jimmy asked curiously glancing over his shoulder for a good glimpse of the kid. "He looks... like a normal twenty something guy" he said confused.<br />
"Exactly...so an idiot" Jake offered.<br />
"Hey!" Jimmy said turning back to face his brother. "I'm a twenty something guy"<br />
"You just keep making my point" Jake added with a bit of a smirk. Jimmy was not, a textbook idiot in the most obvious sense. He knew Latin, they all did and were fluent in it. He could recite most, if not all urban legends and pagan myths from memory, or at least know where he needed to look to find the answers. He was however, a kid at heart which Jake usually had no time for. "Wow you don't even have a clever counter for that?" he asked. He had thought they were done with this town, the vampires had been taken care of and they were supposed to get in the car and book it until they found another case. Then, Lia had found that stupid ring and now they were stuck here until she figured out what it meant. Personally he would have just let the guy handle it himself, it wasn't their problem, if his Dad was missing he had probably been messing around in things he never should have been and it had come back to bite him in the ass. "I just want to get the hell out of dodge if you know what I mean" he said his eyes still staring at the kid a few tables away. He had a bad feeling about this, a really bad feeling.<br />
"I'm kind of more interested in this Tristan kid" Jimmy admitted and Jake couldn't help but agree, he'd been thinking the same thing.<br />
"Yeah, the fact that he had that ring in the first place is suspicious enough, but he didn't put it on... he didn't do anything with it, that makes me think he knows a lot more than Lia seems to think he does" he said thoughtfully. If he had something that belonged to his parents, the last thing he'd found of theirs, he'd probably wear it. In fact, he did wear his father's wedding ring on his right hand and he knew Lia had their mothers on a chain around her neck. Jimmy, hadn't wanted anything he said he didn't need them to remember and Jake had never pushed it further than that. Thinking back to Tristan, the kid had also dropped the ring on the middle of the street? If it was his one and only key to finding his father you would think he'd want to be more careful than that. "None of it adds up" he stated, but he still didn't think Tristan was as much of a threat as this kid they were minding now. They could handle whatever came their way, that he was certain of.<br />
****<br />
Pushing through the doors of the diner she heard the bells go off as she entered. Her eyes scanned the room and settled on two familiar faces she hadn't been planning to see inside. Her denfensive nature rose as she saw her brothers there. They shouldn't have been inside, to her it meant they didn't think she could handle herself and there was nothing more infuriating than that. She saw her target at the other end but she wans't even going there until she got them out. Moving to the booth she leaned on the table with her elbows. "So what part of don't do anything was unclear?" she asked her voice was dripping with obvious annoyance and there was nothing she could do to hide it, nor did she want to. "Get out.. I said I would handle this I don't need you hovering" she snapped.<br />
"Fine but this spells trouble Lia I don't like this kid" Jake said<br />
"You don't like anyone" she reminded him but remained steady on her point. "Out! Now" she straightened again and watched them both her green eyes glowing dangerously as she waited for them to listen. After a few brief moments of standing her ground she watched as both her brothers surrendered and stood from the booth moving past her Jake grabbed her wrist as he passed and pulled her to face him.<br />
"I mean it Lia... get the ring and get out" he warned before letting her go and walking out. She was a little shaken by Jake's reaction, he'd always been 'in charge' but he seemed a little more intense than usual and that was enough to put her on edge.Taking a moment to recover she remembered quickly why she'd come there in the first place and quickly turned back around. She slammed directly into someone and it took one look to realise it was Hunter.<br />
"I thought that was you" he said with a grin. "Sorry... I didn't think you were going to head this way" he took a slight step back but was still too close for comfort. Lia had not exactly been expecting to run into him like that, she'd had it all planned out in her mind and this one hitch seemed to have jumbled her thoughts completely. Gaining her composure she looked at him and nodded her head to the door.<br />
"Follow me" she said and turned heading outside. As she moved she slipped a bottle from her bag and once they were safely outside she turned and threw the contents of it in his face.<br />
"What in the hell was that for?" he asked. It wasn't the first drink he'd had thrown in his face he would admit that but usually those were of the alcoholic variety, this just seemed to be water.<br />
"...You're human" she observed. The bottle had been holy water, and there was no way it was faulty she'd created it herself.<br />
"Excuse me?" he asked and she realised quickly he really was just a stupid guy who'd thought it would be funny to take her ring, either that or some kind of common thief. Now it was time to back peddle.<br />
"That! Was for taking my ring you arrogant ass" she said and while that was not the whole truth, it was a substantial part of it.<br />
"This ring?" he asked holding it out for her but pulled his hand back quickly as she reached for it. "One date"<br />
"...what?" she asked. Was he really seriously right now, this was no time for negotiations. "How about you hand it over and I don't kick your ass" and she could see he was amused at the thought as though she wouldn't be able to. He was tall, she'd give him that otherwise she normally would have been able to have it back in a matter of seconds but it was completely out of her natural reach.<br />
"What's one date? I'll give you the ring back at the end. If you don't have a good time I'll leave you alone" he offered and she could feel herself fuming. Of all the low handed tricks he thought he could bargain her into a date with him? It was seriously pathetic, but she also knew it was somewhat working. She wasn't going to have a good time so at least she could assure he'd stop bothering her and well, he was right, what was one date.<br />
"Fine... but you give me the ring now" she said after all it wasn't her ring.<br />
"No way! That's my only leverage babe it sticks with me" he said.<br />
"Don't call me that..." she warned and it was only the crowds of people pushing by that were ensuring his safety at the moment, she didn't want to draw too much attention to herself, not if they were stuck in town for a couple more days. "Meet me here at five with the ring" she said. The grin that appeared on his face, she may as well have been proving to a kid that Santa Claus was real, which of course he was.... but that was a terrifying reality she didn't wish to relive anytime soon.<br />
"You got it" he stated and rolling her eyes she turned on her heels and walked away, only one thing certain on her mind; Jake was not going to be happy.</div>
C.E Dimondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227352074257615602noreply@blogger.com0