Tennessee Medusa
As long as you stroke ‘em right, the scales’re smooth. I could grab ‘em by the fistful, feel ‘em sidewind, solid muscle in my palm. But I ain’t handsy. I like watchin’ ‘em. Continue Reading
stone
Stories in which characters are turned to stone.
The Listener
Oh it’s simple to freeze people, I grant you that. It’s not at all complicated to kill a human being by transmuting all their molecules into ice or quartz or marble or whatever. But let’s be honest with ourselves: that’s not art. That’s murder. Continue Reading
The Mists of Nevarria
The Proving Grounds lie in the deep wood, where time slumbers and winds still. A heavy mist of magic and sadness grips the air.
The Grounds are an obstacle course. Continue Reading
The Gargoyle’s Patience
Every night’s the same. The lights turn off, one by one, until there is nothing but a single spotlight above my cage. They use the light to stop me from ripping their heads off. Continue Reading
Lifelike
It was stunning, an absolute marvel, so much so that if Chrissy wasn’t already cold to the core from the rain she would have felt a chill run down her spine. The statue was uncanny. Too lifelike. Continue Reading
The Eyes of Medusa
The eyes of Medusa blaze.
Many come for the last of the Gorgons. All will fail. Continue Reading
Taste of Marble
The sun’s finally let go of the old window by the time Ema brings a chalky hand up close, so close, cupping the cheek and pressing dry lips against dryer ones. It doesn’t feel like how she’d imagined it with Angela and her smiling, always-chattering mouth, but Ema can dream and wish and hope. Continue Reading
Garden of Stone
The arrow pins me to the door by my cloak. I try to remove it, but a second arrow pins my other shoulder. These are soon followed by two more under my arms. I am trapped.
For the first time, I hear footsteps approaching behind me. Continue Reading
Immortality Awaits
The line of hopefuls is moving faster than expected. Alkem’s reputation as an efficient operation is well-deserved. Winding like a river around brass poles and velvet ropes, the flow of people draws me steadily forward. Within a few minutes, I’ve reached the head of the line. Continue Reading
Stone Sacrifice
The drums continue their rhythmic beat as I savor the final minutes of my mortal life. Standing at the edge of the natural pool, I look around at the assembled followers in their black robes—faces hidden under deep hoods. Continue Reading