Sneak Preview: My First Novel

As many of you know (or may have heard me talk about), I'm currently writing an urban fantasy novel for young adults. Writing this book has been such a wonderful experience for me; I've learned so much about my strengths and weaknesses as a writer, and I've grown in ways I never expected. My writing has truly evolved, and I've established my own, defined style throughout the process. I've always loved creating with words, but the journey with this particular story has truly led me to believe that I have a chance at making this dream a reality - whether it's with this book or any of the others that I plan to write after it. Please enjoy this small glimpse into the project that continues to mold me and shape me as an author. Thanks :)

 Introduction

In the rear view mirror, I can see the fire in my eyes. It dances there, quietly contained for now by a ridiculously uncomfortable pair of tinted contact lenses, a honey brown that flares golden when the flames are at their worst. Here in the darkness, they seem to glow. I won’t be safe here much longer.

“This will be fine,” I say to the driver, a dirty, overweight Italian sporting a five o’clock shadow and a jacket that reeks of stale cigarettes. “Just let me out here.”

He starts to turn around and protest, but catches a glimpse of my face in the mirror before mumbling “All right” under his breath and steering the car to the curb. When he stops, I give him enough to cover both me and the person who might ride after me. He says nothing. I don’t expect him to argue.

A drizzling rain falls outside, and I tuck myself deeper inside my knee-length trench coat as I shut the door to the cab. The night is dark, the stars and moon hidden by a thick blanket of clouds that make the sky look like it’s about to cave in. My body shivers involuntarily, protesting the chill of the rain drops that touch my pale cheeks.

I assess my surroundings. Trash litters the narrow street, highlighted in certain areas by pools of yellow light illuminating from streetlamps. The buildings lining either side of the road are concrete and cold, devoid of color and life. Their windows are covered with rust-laden bars. A ragged, hungry man with white hair and missing teeth leers at me from his perch a few feet away, begging with a shriveled hand. Avoiding his eyes, I place a few small bills in his outstretched palm. He mutters a “bless you” and fades back into the shadows.

I begin to walk as goosebumps dance on my skin. I can feel the fire behind my eyes now, threatening to burn too bright for disguise. The place between my shoulder blades tingles, warning me of what I already know; I’ve waited too long this time. Cut it too close. I narrow my golden eyes and pick up my pace.

My cell phone vibrates in the pocket of my coat and, trembling, I pick it up and answer.

“Get home now,” Nuriel says in my ear, his velvet voice laced with anger. “I can feel you. Your time is almost out.”

I shudder, clenching my teeth and forcing the fire to remain at bay as I walk even faster. My heels hit the ground with loud, constant taps on the wet pavement.

“I’m trying,” I gasp out, trying to save my energy. “I’m injured.”

He sighs on the other side of the phone. “I know,” he says, his voice slightly less severe. “I can feel that, too. Just…get here.” I hit end as the phone line goes dead and slide the phone back into my pocket. I can sense him. I know how close I am to being safe and under his protection. I can see the building, only four blocks up the street.

It won’t be close enough. Not this time. The mark between my shoulders is burning me now, and I know that I am out of time. I search the concrete prisons around me, looking for a place to hide. Nearby, a street rat skitters into the street from underneath a heavy wooden door covered in white and black graffiti. Even the art here is cold.

I run, slamming hard into the door and screaming out in pain as it gives way into a dank, dark concrete hallway. The hallway leads to a large room, empty and abandoned. I close my eyes and lean against the cold wall, listening for any sign of life within this dull, broken structure. I hear nothing.

I am alone, hands shaking, shoulders burning, eyes beginning to blur. I pull my coat off. The puncture wound in my side is healing quickly, my blood seeping thick and dark to seal the opening. I know that the fire will heal the rest.

My eyes flash a bright white and I am blinded as the burning mark between my shoulders becomes a searing pain that brings me to my knees. My skin explodes, releasing the fire building up inside me. A fantastic pair of strong, transparent wings burst through my clothing, ripping it to shreds. They crawl with fire, a bright yellow blaze that transforms me, burning my human persona and exposing me for what I really am.

Fire dances across my flesh and heals me, making me whole again. I can feel my limbs loosening, the tilt of my eyes rising, the lengthening of my ears as they form to a point. My shoulder-length brunette human hair shifts colors to reveal wavy black strands that fall to my waist. My pale skin lightens almost to the point of translucency and my jaw muscles protest as my teeth strengthen and sharpen inside my mouth.

Slowly, the white glare in my eyes fades and my vision returns, rimmed with a fading red light leftover from the change. I watch my skin as the fire fades out everywhere except my wings, which tower above me, smoldering in the darkness. 

 Comments are welcome and appreciated. Until next time...happy reading!