With Neglected Skills and Stalked Prey firmly in my rear-view mirror, my attention whipped to the last exclusive for my patrons this month, a thriller. While both of my previous entries focused on two sides of the same coin, I wanted to jump to a familiar character, Darren Gilbert. Unfortunately, when I sat down to flesh out this installment, I kept slamming into the brick wall within my mind. Despite the growing headache, I kept churning through potential ideas. However, it wasn’t until I tugged at the thread surrounding Darren’s life after securing Tiatha’s home that the story slowly unfolded upon my mental theater.
After watching the fledgling narrative a few times, I plopped in front of my desk and allowed my eager fingers to dance on my keyboard. Despite eventually discovering a clear picture in my mind, this tale’s drafting process was more intensive than some of my other tales. Fortunately, when the last words tumbled out of my fingertips, I leaned against my chair and grinned. Find a comfortable chair as we follow Darren’s journey for forbidden knowledge.
As Darren explores one of the council’s libraries, a Hunter emerges from the shadows, seeking to punish the impudent rogue…
As Darren’s footfalls echoed off the weathered tiles, his fingertips traced the spines of the dusty leather tomes, creating a furrow in the layer of dust. When the young mage reached the end of the row, he paused, turning toward the collection. His chest swelled as his eyes swept across the titles lining the shelves. When he tugged the desired tome from its neighbors, the captured air flew through his lips while he thumbed through the tome’s secrets.
“You are a foolish child.”
Darren snapped the book shut as his legs tensed and a knee dropped to the ground. Once it touched a tile, he flung himself into a dense swatch of shadows. “Tell the council you couldn’t find me.”
“But I have.”
Darren inched through the darkness as his arm constricted around the liberated tome. “I’m not looking to duel anyone.”
“When it comes to performing my duties, your wants and desires mean nothing to me.” The Hunter stalked through the towering furniture as purple and emerald sparks erupted from his fingertips. “For use in your next life, rogue, if you don’t desire a quarrel with a Hunter, you shouldn’t flaunt your skills or enter their domain. Unfortunately for you, you’re guilty of both transgressions.”
.
.
.
To continue reading head over to my Patreon page and become a patron, $2 a month will give you access to this and other flash fiction stories.