From highly experimental drafts:
“Valerian, listen to me,” Sebastian pleaded, averting his eyes from his middle, catching Valerian’s slim wrist. “I am not a leper. I am an angel, a fallen angel.”
“Aren’t we all,” Valerian replied with a bitter chuckle. “Aren’t we all.”
From the recent chapter of my novel Megachurch:
"Oh, no, no, no! I'm just curious since I saw it in your file." I slumped my back on my seat with my arms folded on my chest.
"You know, Inspector Steph Barnes, it's never a good look when a white man talks about a colored man's ethnicity. It's even more inappropriate to ask WHY a person of color is colored... unlike you. And in my experience, that's the question that usually arises after a white man's bout of 'curiosity.' It usually means the white man wants to talk about race. And when a white policeman talks about race in jail, it never has a beautiful ending. So let me ask you again, Inspector Stephen Barnes. How can I help you?"
For an upcoming update weeks in the future;
"Don't forget, you're my submissive." With a single finger, Christian tilted his head up. Their eyes danced in a violent match of thorns. "And I punish those who go against my rules."
Tyrell's heart raced in his chest. Blood rushed in his ears as thunder striking down to the earth. He stumbled backward. "That would be───"
“We were ambushed by some Laichanan on our way here.” Arden said grimly. “We chased them away, but Sora’s missing. We have to look for her... once we get the children to safety.”
“Where will we look?” Hari sounded despondent. “She’s probably dead by now.”
"Over the years, I watched our friends come and go, warning me behind your back of the kind of lowly person you were, and every time, I defended you.” The sudden scornful laugh that came spewing from her mouth punctured a million tiny holes in my small balloon of self-confidence, deflating it in an instant.
Flashing a wicked grin, she asked, “am I supposed to care?”
Mark’s warm expression made her melt and she gave a little sigh. “I missed you.” Realizing her mistake, she quickly added, “Both you and Lynn.”
A rumble of laughter came from Mark. “Just like old times.”
"Being nice doesn't cost you anything, Darren." Jesse answered back at his friend.
"Sometimes you're just way too nice." Darren rolled his eyes as he pulled out his bass guitar from his case. Darren sat down in a chair nearby and tuned his bass guitar as well.
“I’m no good with a sword.” Hari shook his head. “I’m no good with anything at all.”
“Don’t be stupid, Hari.” Yuma slapped him on the arm. “Everyone knows what a good shot you are with a hunting bow.”
He chuckled, wincing from the pain, “But not well. I got beat.”
The orc answered with a menacing grin, showing off her fangs and tusks. “Well you should see the other guy.”
Monara tilted her head forward a touch, then back—an almost-mechanical nod. “The day we first met was that of the commemoration of the Treaty between our worlds. I have reflected much upon this, on how much I would have never witnessed and experienced had it not been for humankind’s willingness to trust the people of my world. Or that of the Glints.”
Faye just smiled and nodded. “Kinda ironic, isn’t it?”
Ira's small smile turned into a snarl at the tone in his voice, before she calmed the flame, "Remember my gift? Today is the day." She grinned and stepped closer to him.
With each step she took closer, he tried to shift back. All the way as far back as he could go. He could feel despair grip his throat as his back hit the wall next to his all too cozy cot, "Right, the 'gift.'" He sneered softly, eyes downcast as she sat next to him, "Does it come with another beating? I miss that oh so very much."
Another round of grumbling. "No, I shouldn't have to babysit you to keep you from running away from your duties. Just go on patrol, and we'll find some other time to hang out."
"Aww, fine. But don't blame me if I get distracted and 'run away from my duties' again, ain't my fault I don't have someone responsible to keep track of me."
“Those cries...” Hari said. “...don’t sound Humaine.”
“And look, there.” Yuma pointed. “More dead bodies... Laichanan all of them.”
„Your name was Toby, right?“
„Yeah?“
„When the time comes, I will crush you like a fly.“
„.... ooookay.“ Toby took a step to the side.
“Don’t you think we should relax for a bit at least?”
“How can relax when my brother’s life is on the line?”
“We can’t kill it for the way its race is?” Maedra argued, surprising even herself. “It’s just a harmless little baby. Look, it’s barely able to see... the poor thing.”
“What do you suppose we do then?” Hari scowled, tightening his grip on the iron poker he held.
“The director’s son is murdering clients, and you feel uncomfortable!? Come on Maggie, something needs to be done!”
“What should I do?”
You killed her!” Ahiko exclaimed. As they ran through the woods and reached a clearing. Rokuzo turned to her quietly. “She is unconscious, I was counting.” He paused, “If I did it right.
“And its mother?” Rubia asked instead. “Won’t it come after...?”
“They are dead, its parents.” Maedra replied sadly. “I couldn’t let them kill it... it can’t be held responsible for what others did.”
“I am Arden, son of Echtor.” The boy’s chest puffed up. “I am a friend to Eldrek, commander of the Diabane outpost. And friend to Brenrek and Angrek as well.”
“Well met, young Arden.” Kadrek was impressed by the boy’s confidence. “Aye, Eldrek indeed commands at the outpost. Brenrek and Angrek are my brothers-in-arms. Echtor is well known among us; the chieftain of Anglathe. And you... are his son?”
