Seducing The Stars

Dust coated the spines of books and shelves. I scanned the titles looking for the one mentioned in the note. It was one I'd seen in passing but hadn't read because it was in Latin. Just when I thought it wasn't there, I spotted the book.

Since I couldn't reach it, I grabbed one of the stuffy armchairs from the corner and dragged it in front of the bookshelf. Climbing onto the chair, I was now the perfect height if I moved up on my tiptoes. Dust fell as I retrieved it from the shelf, making me sneeze and nearly lose my balance. Instead of moving the armchair back, I took a seat on the stiff cushion and brushed my fingers over the title page. The book didn't seem that useful, but when I flipped to the page the note had mentioned, I froze. Placed between the pages was a photograph, one that I had never seen but was oddly familiar with.

Dread settled hot and heavy in my stomach as my fingers traced the faded image of three people-Max, Milo, and me. Our clothing was older, from another time period. My blouse was pale with long sleeves and a collar. A dark skirt fell to the floor, shrouding my legs. To my left, stood Milo in dark trousers and a frock. A white shirt was left partially unbuttoned at his neck, and he smiled sensually at the camera. Max stood to my other side, his face calm but happy. A top hat had been placed on his head, and the look was so bizarrely familiar that I couldn't stop staring.

But this wasn't right. Something was very wrong. This photograph shouldn't have existed. When we died, everything of ours disappeared with us. That was how it had always been.

And yet, five words were scrawled on the back of the photo. Five words written in my own handwriting that filled me with fear and confusion.

Do not trust the council.

Series

Living With Sight | book 2

Harmonic Haven

Whitney radiated warmth and joy as she danced and twirled around the room. Her purple gown shimmered under the lights. The short heels of her shoes clicked against the floor. A jeweled water lily comb glinted with every turn she made. Even her skin held a rosy glow.

She beamed and laughed as the guys took turns spinning her around the ballroom.

And for a moment, just a moment, I could forget she was sick. For a moment, all was exactly how it should have been.

There weren't any heart problems or unidentifiable stalkers. There weren't complicated situations with heart songs or clocks counting down the little time we had left in this life. Right here, right now, all was well.

Series

Ballad of a Broken Soul | book 3