"A broo-nee?"

"Brownie."

"A Brownie?"

"Yeah!" Aiden flopped onto the cushions beside her.

"What’s a Brownie?" The elf tilted her head, her mismatched colored eyes staring at him in confusion.

"It’s a cake. Like uhh… the Bark Fruit Muffins you have!"

"Uh huh."

"Except, it’s lot denser. When mom used to bake them, the whole house would bathe into the warm aroma."

"That sounds chewy… you h...

"Thank you…" Hunter blinked, curling his fingers over the coffee mug Natt just handed him, "How’d you know I’d prefer coffee and not tea?"

“I didn't." Natt sank into a chair opposite him. "It was written in the diary."

She stared at Hunter like he had stolen her turkey right before Thanksgiving.

Chill out, Natalie.

"I-I’m not sure what diary you’re referring to." The poor guy straightened u...

Ever tried typing on a keyboard without looking and nailed it like a boss?

That’s called muscle memory.

Your fingers work for you without having to think much. Think of it as a lazy way to get your job done.

Watching Hunter Maverick stand at our doorstep felt just like that.

His name rolled off my tongue effortlessly. Like I’ve mentioned many times over.

No struggle. No effort. Just Boom....

"Where did we go wrong?" Natt flipped the pages of her diary. "How did this happen?"

"I… I don’t know, Natt…"

I sank into the couch beside her. Everything in the room seemed to close in, as if to squeeze me to death. Night painted the windows deep black, and rain crashed against it.

"Hunter Cross… Hunter, Hunter… He’s all over these pages!" Natt dragged her hand through her messy blonde hair....

Her bare feet crashed against the sand.

Thé folds of her shimmery deep blue dress draped as she twirled. As deep as the night sky. As shimmery as the stars.

The moonlight kissed her bare skin— glowing and flawless.

Her curls danced against her shoulders. The shoulders she wished to be once held.

Her eyes carried the beauty of a million stars.

She dipped her ankles in the waves hugging th...

"How- How do you know that the d- dead can talk?"

A puff of white escaped Liam’s chattering teeth as he rubbed his arms.

They were sat on a bench facing a graveyard on the other side of the road.

Iron fence surrounded the entrance, it’s sharp tips reminding Hunter of spears in Natt’s video game.

A stone arc stood as an entrance. The sky was so grey, the entrance seemed indistinguishable ...

Who are we when no one’s watching?

When the worlds’ eyes avert,

And they’re done talking.

A murder?

An arsonist?

Or something more gut-wrenching?

A butterfly!

Or a fairy,

Or something more enchanting?

A Sherlock Holmes,

Or a Watson,

Or something more intriguing.

Who are we when no one’s watching?

When the blinds are drawn,

And the world is sleeping?

We’re writers, your honor!

Unstoppable, U...

She instantly regretted the moment the words fell out.

The pain flashed in Ameera’s eyes. She winced, as if someone had rammed her spear into her chest.

“Enough." Ameera said.

She didn’t scream. She didn’t raise her voice.

She simply picked up her helmet and spear lying at her feet. "We shall discuss this tomorrow."

"No. We’re finishing this right now." Serene folded her hands.

Ameera ...

The wind made her hijab flutter as the night pressed deep into the woods. Trees towered above Ameera as she sat by the edge of the stream, dipping her ankles into the cold, flowing water.

She hugged her legs, chin on knees. Faint crackle and voices drifted from the base camp nearby.

The trees swayed along the wind, carrying subtle whispers.

A rustle of leaves tore through the silence. Sharp ...

She flipped over the roof, swinging her legs like ribbons along the wind before landing upright. The folds of her tunic ruffled from the wind. The night bathed in the pale moonlight.

The moonflower extract juggled in her belt pocket as she moved.

Known for its notorious effects, illegal in more than half of Avalorn— nothing Serene didn’t have in reach.

The council orders were just a piece of...