Tricks & Treasures Gilded leaves spiraled up narrow turquoise columns set into the corners of the secret closet behind the ring. Rin’s gaze followed them from the tiled floor up and up and up to the domed ceiling decorated with sprawling branches of some great tree. Each golden leaf glittered down at him, twinkling with … Continue reading Chapter 14 →

Is Magic Worth This? Rin slumped to the floor with a thud. He wiped his tearing eyes in frustration and glared up at the sole source of all his problems. The ring loomed above him. Impassive. Unmoved. Firmly flush with the wall. He jumped back up and stamped a foot. What am I supposed to … Continue reading Chapter 13 →

What Choice Rin staggered back as the door slid closed and collapsed in a crumpled heap on the floor. His heart pounded out on erratic, unsteady rhythm, and his breath came in sharp, uneven bursts. Every muscle trembled uncontrollably. I’m alive, he thought. I’m alive. It didn’t feel real, though. He wrapped his arms around … Continue reading Chapter 12 →

In Plain Sight Rin ran. It knew! It bloody-abyss knew! He didn’t know how the nekhesa knew. But somehow, it knew he was there. Maybe the whole time. And wasn’t that a fantastic thought. No longer concerned with keeping silent or unseen, Rin bolted for the corridor. Behind him, claws scraped across stone, and powerful … Continue reading Chapter 11 →

Dark Domain Familiar rough-hewn stone walls awaited Rin on the other side of the fountain door. The darkness was thick as ever. Perhaps worse, because now Rin knew what lay in wait for him. He skulked along the right side wall, keeping low to the ground to minimize whatever target he might make. He grasped … Continue reading Chapter 10 →

The Bathhouse The tile beneath Rin’s feet fell open into a trapdoor, and he dropped like a stone. His gasp of surprise was left stranded on the landing above as he plummeted. Pink and blue and white and black all streaked by in a muddled haze of panic. He had no clue what had happened … Continue reading Chapter 9 →

Escalation As he explored the other hidden rooms, Rin found himself much more subdued than he had begun. He barely ducked into any other rooms, giving each a mere cursory glance before moving on. He’d warred with himself over taking anything from the stone chest, but practicality had won. The girl was dead. By the … Continue reading Chapter 8 →

Hidden History

Motley Musings

A Golden Trap