 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Waiting Roads M/M, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy [37 Pages / 11,000 Words] AMZ / Apple / BN / Kobo / SW / All Buy Links Caleb was a child when he survived a storm that should have killed him. The forest, and an impossible stranger named Eli, protected him from harm. Fifteen years later, he knows Eli wasn't real. Magic isn't real. But Caleb is irresistibly drawn to the woods he left behind. When he finally returns, there's no telling what—or who—he might discover. The wind that had followed Caleb into the forest gusted harder, and the dismal sky breathed a grim rumble. The looming clouds darkened. Eli's hair, long and black, whipped in the mounting wind, and he spared a glance upward before once again meeting Caleb's eyes. "You owe me a favor, I think." Eli's expression was deceptively light. "Yes," Caleb agreed. "Come along, then. It will be very wet out here in a moment." Eli pushed one of Caleb's arms aside in order to maneuver past him. "But there's nowhere to—" Caleb's protest died as he turned. The clearing was no longer empty behind him. An imposing manor stood there now, the same impossible mansion that had sheltered Caleb once before. He could see it clearly in the gloomy daylight, but he couldn't place the intricate architecture. Every line was elegant, sleek windows, smooth banisters carved with twining shapes. Stunned, he followed Eli inside. Cool air met them in the narrow foyer. Dark wood paneling and a dusty, familiar scent made Caleb's head spin. It seemed basic manners to toe his shoes off near the door, especially once he realized Eli was barefoot. Had he been barefoot outside? Caleb couldn't remember. He hadn't been looking at Eli's feet. "Who are you?" He asked as he followed Eli down the short hall. Eli paused, casting a look over his shoulder that Caleb would have done anything to soothe away—a hurt so old Caleb couldn't fathom the source. "It doesn't matter who I am." The wounded expression cleared, but not enough. A hint of pain still showed. through. "Few would remember my name. I've been here too long." "Here?" Caleb blinked, putting the pieces together haltingly. "You mean in the forest? You're trapped here?" Anger crested behind dark eyes, but vanished quickly beneath tired resignation. "I was imprisoned long before your great-grandparents were born, by enemies who would just as soon have killed me." "But you have magic." Caleb hovered closer, struggling to keep his hands at his sides. "This place is impossible. And I remember the night you found me. You carried light in your hand." "Simple tricks." The bitterness in Eli's voice caught him off guard. "I was once a true force to be reckoned with." AMZ / Apple / BN / Kobo / SW / All Buy Links |
Cover design by Yolande Kleinn ISBN 978-1-946316-09-7 |