Serena Dracis

In addition to the sequel to Salt, Sky, and Fire, I’ve also got a complete novel set in the same city, but nearly a thousand years later.

The mage school that Ozora and the others strove to establish is now a dominant force in a city that has grown and expanded. Known as the Bestiary, it’s grown to be world-renowned.

Except to one runaway who’s just landed in Hastrior’s harbor from the Western Expanse, who has no idea what waits for her there.

Azure wants to get as far away from her home as possible, but her first day in Hastrior she runs afoul of the law and now they’re after her. She should’ve known they wouldn’t just let a stowaway walk away.

Please enjoy this sneak peak from the first chapter of Runaway:

****

Must get off the streets. Find a place where her ill-gotten coinage would buy her a bed no questions asked. She just had to get away from the hot zone the market had become. If this town had a place where she could disappear, no questions asked, she needed to find it. And hope it threw Ket and his cousin off her trail.

The terrace ended not far ahead, where the keep fronted onto the bay. A single door was set into the otherwise unbroken stone wall. Plain, but sturdy. Thick planks bound by iron bands without ornamentation. The doorknob was likewise simple, with no obvious lock.

Not going that way. Keeps and castles were for nobles and mages. She wanted nothing to do with either. She slouched and pulled her hood up again, then turned to follow the terrace away from the keep. She made it all of about two steps before the watchman’s dog dropped to the street in front of her from the wall above.

She froze. The dog snarled, crouched.

Azure spun and headed for the only hope she had, getting through that door before the dog could get to her.

Panting, she breathed prayer to Oone, goddess of luck, as she ran that the door was unlocked.

The tingle that ran through her palm and up her arm when she set her hand to the cool bronze knob spread through the rest of her body in a flash that set every nerve alight.

Or she was just super happy the knob turned easily. She glanced back and saw the giant dog had paused in his headlong charge. Drooping hound ears and low-hanging lips and jowls swung pendulously as he charged at his cornered prey. He would’ve stood out among any other dogs, not just for his size but for his shining coat. Thick and flowing, in a spectacular pattern of indigoes and forest green. Deep brown eyes shone with intelligence but were nearly hidden under the wrinkled folds of skin as he growled.

When the door opened under her hand, the dog straightened from his aggressive crouch. Azure couldn’t understand why he’d changed his mind, watching his lips relax from their intimidating snarl. His head tilt, complete with an ear flopping head shake, was pure canine curiosity.

The dog was the only one looking at her. The humans pursuing her must have opted for the long way around to the stairs. The vendors were busy with their sales.

“Expecting you to keep me pinned, eh?” She murmured. “Not quite going to work out as they hoped.” The dog’s ears twitched, and his eyebrows rose, giving him a quizzical look. She had the means of escape in her hand.

No one would be the wiser.

“Just between you and me.” She whispered to the dog and winked. To her utter amazement, the dog winked back, and made no sound, no movement as she slid inside.

Bracing one hand against the heavy planks, she eased the door into place silently until she felt more than heard the click of the latch, then carefully turned.

She found herself in a wide and tall stone hall.

Keeping her back to the door and scanning the hallway stretching to either side of her, she saw soft magelights dancing in their faceted crystal containers, held aloft in wrought iron scones. Azure was oddly reassured to see the delicate scrolling of vines, leaves and little five-petaled blossoms decorating the ironwork. Cheery, warm light flickered on the bare stone walls. Stone floors too, but a carpeted runner ran the length of the corridor.

What evil villain decorates his sconces with vines and flowers? She kept the snicker behind her lips, but they still curved, picturing a petty evil ruler, complete with tall gold crown and sweeping purple robe stomping his foot and shouting, “NO! Make them prettier! I insist!”

I watched that play back in Shallowstrand far too often. Azure’s grin widened at the memory of the talented group of actors. And one rather handsome actor in particular. Who was particularly … talented. A very different sort of smile now curved her lips at the memory of his chiseled abs and sculpted pecs as she scanned the hallway.

No other doors were visible, but it bent at right angles about ten feet from her in either direction, giving her exactly two choices of direction.

Then, she had no choice.

Guards stepped around each corner, blocking off any hope of escape.

“You have caused quite the sensation.” It was a woman’s voice out of a woman’s face, but there was nothing human about the creature who rounded the corner to Azure’s left.

Guards pivoted and backstepped, dipping their head in deference as an immense lion-like creature padded around the corner and into the hall to face Azure.

It nearly filled the hall.

She knew she needed to do something, anything. Instead, Azure froze as the biggest lioness she’d ever seen was ten feet away, now eight. Slow, sure, silent steps out of paws easily the size of a king’s dinner plates. Except…

A woman’s head and neck and upper torso sat on an otherwise leonine body. Two graceful wings tucked close to the tawny flanks and folded over the sleek gold spine.

“We haven’t had this much excitement since Elgatry—” The beast cut off with a tiny huff. Now Azure saw the little human accompanying the monster. She’d been hidden by the human-headed lioness’ body and wings, pacing alongside. She reached up to pat the huge creature’s shoulder with the ease of long familiarity.

“We don’t need to bring up ancient tales, my love.” The human’s eyes were milky-white, a match to her long, braided hair. Her right hand rested on the iridescent wing where it joined on the creature’s left shoulder.

“I was just…”

The human gave a brisk tap of the elegantly carved staff in her left hand, making the flagstones ring. The creature fluffed her wings but sealed her lips.

Azure sagged against the door, not sure what to make of the whole situation.

“You are wondering what sort of den of madness you’ve fallen into.” The woman was tiny, but not frail. She tilted her head and appeared to study Azure.

****

I’m sure you recognize who’s come to greet Azure. Like Wind, Waves, and Ruin, this one needs some editing and read-throughs by my alpha readers, but it is in the works for release as well.

Wind, Waves, and Ruin is close. Working on a cover right now, and some editing changes. Book Wyrms will get those sneak peaks too.

Let me know in the comments what you think of this excerpt. Does it make you want to read more?

At this stage, anything can change. Even the title.