Enter to win: BLOODMAIDEN, the end of the Bookish Snob Promotions Tour

Hello, and thank you to all who have joined the exciting blog tour for my YA Christian fantasy, Bloodmaiden, as well as to those just joining in!

I would especially like to thank Bels at Bookish Snob Promotions for setting up this brilliant tour, as well as all bloggers who allowed me to participate on their site. It was a fun and rewarding experience, and I look forward to future tours.

Now, for the final contest! I would like to offer three copies of Bloodmaiden for giveaway. The three winners will also see their names in an upcoming book of mine; they will be notified of the book's completion and will receive a free copy of the ebook and/or print book.

In order to enter the contest, all you have to do is comment below, telling me the following:

1. Your email address

2. Your favorite fantasy creature or race--who knows, if you win, you might see this creature or actually be one when I create your character.

3. Tell me the name you would like your character to have. It can be your real name or one you just really like.



* The contest will last from May 23rd through May 31st.

And that's it!

Thanks so much to everyone who participates; please comment below to enter!

~ Christine E. Schulze

A Bloodmaiden Birthday

A friend of mine, Tiffany Snyder, turned sixteen on August sixteenth, just this past Saturday. I decided to give her a copy of Bloodmaiden as a gift. I will say that not only did she like it, but it was quite the rage amongst the young teenie-boppers who were passing it around, saying they wanted to read it, some staring at me and asking, "You wrote this?" Ah, fun times. Here is a picture of me, Tiffany, and of course, the Bloodmaiden. Note the lovely holographic picture behind us. We were all enamored by it because, as you walk past, it changes from winter to summer to autumn. Here, all three seasons are represented (thanks for pointing that out, Chrys!), adding a bit of fantasy and elegance to our photo!

Interview with Evie Alexis

I recently had the joy of participating in one of my first online interviews with Evie Alexis:

http://longlivechicklit.wordpress.com/

I am so happy to have a wonderful author with us today, Christine Schulze. The young lady sits down for a one-on-one at The Lit to share in a very real and in-depth manner her ideas, her triumphs and her life.

*********

1. Tell us a little bit more about yourself, Christine.

Well, first off, thank you for having me! I am quite excited to share in this, my second interview as an author.

A little about me, I have essentially been creating books from the time I was too young to write them, probably when I was about four. My first books were comprised solely of pictures. My first “real” book was Jonny to the Rescue. I was a flower girl for a lady at church, and she asked me to make her a book for a wedding present. Thus, I made her a copy of my latest work, Jonny to the Rescue, complete with illustrations. The story itself was inspired by the “Surprise, Surprise, Puppy Surprise!” toys which those in my generation may remember. This book would later provide inspiration for my published Legends of Surprisers series, which is actually for middle readers and young adults.

In addition to writing, I also enjoy drawing, photography, singing, playing piano, and going for exploratory walks in the woods. I draw namely manga style versions of my characters, which you can check out at my blog, www.goldenhealerartwork.blogspot.com. I also love composing and have compiled a couple soundtracks for my books, called “Stregoni Symphony”. Finally, you can always catch me on Youtube singing something or other! While shy in talking in front of others, I’ve always had quite a voice for singing. This love for music often crops up in my books, such as The Gailean Quartet, which I myself like to describe as “a musical, magical series!”

While many of my works are self-published, and I am quite proud of them, considering them of very good quality as I’ve had the opportunity to work with editors and such, I am currently taking particular pride in my first ebook release with Writers-Exchange, Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress, as well my first novel release with Old Line Publishing, Bloodmaiden, which I shall discuss in more detail below.

2. What is your book about?

Well, Bloodmaiden, my latest release and first release with Old Line Publishing, is a fantasy/romance/horror/coming-of-age sort of adventure for young adults incorporating Christian themes of courage and forgiveness. Quite a mouthful, I know! But in short, it tells the tale of a young girl who must choose whether to risk her life to defy tradition, saving not only all she loves but her entire race from future persecution, or whether to accept her fate as it is. It’s written from a first person perspective, and the beginning is written in present tense to give readers the feel that they are really there, embodying Crisilin and all her thoughts, feelings, and perceptions.

Here is the book blurb to give further insight:

Zale. Gauthier. Varden. These three dynasties…They all sound like something out of an ancient, oriental myth or fairy tale. The concept of humans and dragons helping and living in harmony with one another, without fear. To me, that’s exactly what they are. A distant dream only read of, whispered secretly, quietly yearned for. For, you see, I am the new Quelda of Tynan.

These words echo the mystery, horror, and romance found within Schulze’s fantasy novel. Along with her new husband, Chalom, Crislin must choose to embrace cruel tradition, run from it, or stand against it. The young couple’s only hope is to rally the help of the three peaceful dragon dynasties of Sulaimon—but tradition is not on their side, even outside the realm of Tynan. The dragons outside Tynan’s borders have been rumored as too stubborn and proud to believe their Tynanian brothers would commit such horrors as inflicted upon the Quelda. Gaining their aid is not a likely hope. Yet, any hope at all is valued in Tynan…

If they are to stand a chance of bringing cruel tradition to a permanent end, Crislin and Chalom must brave the constant, consuming blizzards of the Ever-white. They must brave the three dynasties and the challenges awaiting there. Together, they must convince the dragon emperors to allow them access to the shrines which house the sacred Aria – protective strands of music which may be able to disperse the evil from Tynan and unite the four dynasties of Sulaimon as a whole once again. Their only aid stems from a sprite whose moods are as unstable as her magic, a young minstrel, and a mysterious fox. Despite the odds, such plans are daring, dangerous, unprecedented, but fully possible – if they can escape the Wall first.

* Also, to let you in on one of those little, author secrets, I always pictured Crislin as being very young, because she is supposed to be pure. Originally, she was to be thirteen, but I removed the age to help give readers the feel of, “Ah, this girl could be me.”

3. Where did you get your ideas for this story?

Oh, goodness. Well, as I recall, that’s sort of one of those questions of: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? I say this because I remember doing a photoshoot with my bf which helped provide inspiration for writing the book, but I don’t remember if I’d started writing it yet. I do remember that the original book was focused more on the quest of finding the aria. In fact, the original book title was Quelda: Quest for Aria. Thank God I changed it. Really, it’s not an awful title, but as Bloodmaiden developed into something more serious than just a quest story, it needed a more serious, mature title.

As for the ideas of the story itself, one inspiration I am sure I drew from is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, my favorite video game. Ever since then, I’ve been writing stories about quests combining music, magic, and a host of unique, quirky characters. Hence, the searching for great fairies and magical, healing aria. The game has also provided inspiration for such books as The Legends of Surprisers series, The Gailean Quartet, and The Legend of Loz and Zephyr’s Islands.

I also took inspiration from, as ever, wonderful people I know. All of the fairies are named after editors or cover artists I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Pan is named after friend Crysania, while Brydon stems from a friend whom I had a brief crush on—especially for his beautiful guitar, which really is black with red roses. And of course, Chalom is inspired by my own personal Chalom. I was quite glad too to develop something different with dragons. Not usually a fan of dragon books myself, I wanted to create my own unique spin on dragons, which I believe I’ve accomplished in Bloodmaiden.

4. Who has been a great source of inspiration in your writing life?

Honestly, what inspires me most for my books is people, so I’m glad you asked! The Gailean Quartet, for example, was inspired largely by Gail Fleming, a favorite college professor of mine who quickly became like a second mother when I was going through hard times. Most of the time she didn’t even know, but attending her Music Appreciation and then Choir classes provided rays of light on dark days. Thus, through her, my favorite series, one where magic and music uniquely intertwine, was born.

Friends also provide great inspiration. Aaron, a best friend whom I was unrequitedly in love with for seven years or so, has featured as a main character in many books, such as Aaryn in Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress, Aaron from The Hero Chronicles, and Phillip from The Legends of Surprisers series. Then there’s Sarah, another best friend who is always a great source of story ideas, especially in the humor department, and who also features in many books as many different characters. In fact, there’s even one book, The Mass, in which she “meets” herself, as Anna, Chryselda, and another character. I copy this in Elantra: Song of Tears, Lady of the Dawn, in which Crispin meets Adrian who speaks of his wicked brother Jonathan; all three are inspired by another best friend of mine!

Even random people I only meet once have inspired inspiration though. Once, at college, I met this very nice girl named Autumn. I only met with her a couple of times, but I really liked her—and her name—and thus, “Autumn Falls”, a favorite tale found in The Chronicles of the Mira, came to be.

Now, in terms of authors, some of my main inspirations are Tolkien, Rowling, and Diana Wynne Jones. You can often tell this from my writing too; I’ve had British editors tell me my writing is too American for them, while one of my American editors was confused when I kept using the word “towards” which is apparently British (“toward” being the American version). Lol, who knew?

But I mainly say I draw inspiration from these authors because of my quirkiness. I know I am quirky and that this translates into my writing, but I don’t always realize how much unless others point it out to me, because it just comes so naturally. I am a person who is very comfortable with herself; I write what I write and do what I do without question, unless I think I’m doing something wrong. I am just myself; I write what I like and hope others will like it too. So when a friend of mine tries to tell me it’s strange that I introduce Panganiban from Bloodmaiden by having her surf on a giant snowflake, I simply think how I never thought that could be considered weird; for me, it’s fantasy, and anything goes.

Actually, a friend of mine who has already written a wonderful review for Bloodmaiden here on Goodreads is considering writing a second called “Schulze and the Techni-colored Dream Fairy” just to compare my writing to other quirky authors of my kind.

I like being different though. I appreciate books like Jones’ Howl’s Moving Castle because of its freshness, its uniqueness. So, sometimes I try to emulate such uniqueness in my own writing as well.

5. Give us some insight to your road to publication. How did it come about?

My, my, what a long and arduous journey, especially for a journey that’s just begun! Well, my first actual acceptance was from Tate Publishing when I was around eighteen or nineteen. I was so excited—especially as they accepted The Prism of Ashlei, first in The Gailean Quartet, my favorite series! Then, I found out they wanted close to fourteen grand to publish the book. I tell you what, I really wanted to do it…but to do so would be to say that my work wasn’t good enough to be published else-where; why should I forfeit to dishonest publishers who didn’t even say on their site what an exorbitant amount of money they wanted just to have the honor of publishing my book?

Well, not long after, a true God-send. I get an acceptance from Writers-Exchange E-publishing for Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress. It was a surreal moment—especially as I didn’t even remember submitting to them at first! But then I remembered sending the book for them because Sandy Cummins, the publisher, mentioned accepting both Christian, young adult, and vampire stories—it was a perfect fit! Thus began my ebook career.

I still wanted to see at least some of my favorite works in print though. The usual string of rejections came, and then one day, I discovered Createspace, a self-publishing website. After debating a little while, I decided to self-publish The Hero Chronicles, sort of for fun, but also with hopes to make some sales. Then, in honor of my favorite teacher, I published The Gailean Quartet as a retirement present. Finally, because I was having so much fun designing cover art, interior files, and such, I added The Legends of Surprisers series to the collection. My hope now is that I might either still publish them traditionally someday or else that people will like my traditionally published books enough to buy them. though, to tell the truth, to date, I have sold more of these books in ebook format than any other, including whole series, so people must not necessarily mind if a book is self-published these days! I do pride myself in them; having the opportunity to work with Laura Shinn, Rebecca Vickery, and other great editors prepared me to do the work necessary to create good-quality self-published works.

Well, in between all this, I made some small publications in magazines and ezines like Calliope and Kalkion, and I continue to search out these fun little opportunities. I joined Rebecca Vickery’s Victory Tales Press which publishes romance anthologies. Rebecca was kind enough to edit and publish Bloodmaiden: A Fantasy Anthology for me, which contains short story excerpts from Bloodmaiden and other books of mine.

Finally, one day I’m browsing online for story contests and such when I come across another true God-send. I found a site listing publishers’ information, but it was one of those sites where they want you to pay for the info. Excepting one of the publishers on the page—Old Line Publishing. After checking them out, I sent in Bloodmaiden and was very soon signing my first contract!

The first leg is down—finding a publisher. I hope and pray it’s all uphill from here—it may be a rocky climb, but I can handle that, just have to keep strong and trust God to seek me through. My next goal is getting the word out and getting people to invest in Bloodmaiden and Golden Healer, though I’m exploring a few other publishing ventures as well, including a young adult personalized novel with Books by You—but that’s another adventure to be told for another time.

6. What are some other projects you are working on?

Oh, goodness! If you’d asked this several years ago, I’d have a running list; I was always starting new books. Good thing is, I’ve finished them all by now. I am, however, working on a new project with a friend of mine called You, Fairie, I. It’s one of those “which-way” books in which the reader gets to be the character and make decisions that affect the outcome of the story. It won’t be one of the cheesy versions though. It will be very deep; while the choices are few, they will be vital, having major impact on how the story turns out. Also, the world of Fairie is comprised of four realms and twelve main races, so you can imagine how intricate things can get before the end! My vision for this book is it should be like playing a video game in book form; there will be side-stories, little subquests, and if you don’t play wisely, it might be game over for you and your kingdom!

7. Share something unique about yourself with your readers if you please.

Goodness. I’ve been brainstorming this one for a couple days now. I thought of plenty of quirks: I like to name inanimate objects, I used to have crushes on cartoon characters like Darkwing Duck and James from Pokemon, I’ve never eaten a taco, I’m allergic to milk and sugar…

But I’ve been trying to think of something really unique and interesting. For some reason, this one stumped me, so I decided just to talk about the uniqueness of my books and the work I center around them. Because I suppose maybe someone will find it unique that at age twenty-two, I’ve completed over twenty-eight books and published a good deal of them. Or that I compose instrumental soundtracks for my books, as well as supplying all of my own coverart, promotional items, etc. Or that I’ve managed to create this vast collection, all the books of which connect in some way, shape, or form.

Yes, I suppose what I really take pride in is the uniqueness of my stories. I aim to never do the same thing twice. I believe you can have too much of a good thing, so now, especially as I’ve written so much, when starting a new project I take time to step back and think: Have I done something too much like this before?

So, dear readers, the answer to this question really lies with you. Do you find my stories interconnecting and yet unique at the same time? Hopefully, time will tell.

8. Where would you like to see yourself five years from now?

Honestly, I would like to be as renowned as J. K. Rowling or Stephanie Meyers, and I don’t say that because I desire fame, fortune, or riches. It is because I have always believed God has a purpose for my writing. I am meant to share my stories with all the world, and that’s what I intend to do—God-willing. I write what I love, never trying to write to a certain market or audience. And yet, in writing what I love, I hope that five years down the line, millions of readers will be loving it too.

Bloodmaiden: A Fantasy Anthology is here!

Here it is; check it out, peeps; includes an excerpt from my novel Bloodmaiden and other works!

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Bloodmaiden-Anthology-Christine-E-Schulze/dp/1451586450/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272896323&sr=1-10

Smashwords

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/12805

Bloodmaiden Official Cover

Well, I've been working with my Old Line Publishing peeps, and Mr. Schenning just sent me the full cover for Bloodmaiden, so here it is!















P.S. Yes, that is ME on the cover, I do make a rather good damsel in distress, if I may make so bold...

Bloodmaiden: A Fantasy Anthology

In honor of my upcoming publication of Bloodmaiden:

"For, you see, I am the new Quelda of Tynan."
These words echo the mystery, horror, romance, and redemption found throughout the stories of Schulze's fantasy anthology.
A young woman and young boy must choose to embrace cruel tradition, run from it, or stand against it.
A Scintillate princess must defy her only sister and sacrifice all to save the one she loves.
A captain braves tempestuous seas to rescue Larimar, his gem of the sea.
A blind girl unravels the mystery of the one who grants her sight in dreams and whom can hear her heart's song.
A young Elemental survives many dangerous ventures to discover true freedom.
All of these and more weave together to create a truly powerful collection.

Available at Createspace, Smashwords, and Amazon on April 20, 2010!

And here are some reader reviews on some of the stories in the anthology:

"You have a very well-rounded imagination. I really enjoyed reading what I read of 'Bloodmaiden.' I would definitely read the novel. It holds your attention and really draws you in the story. I am very interested in finding out what happens. You left us wanting more."
~Ariane from Webook on Bloodmaiden

"Wow, I'm glad I took the time to read this. The story was very compelling from beginning to end. I could feel Crisilin's fear throughout the story. I kept wanting to know what was so horrible that the dragons did, and I'm glad your character chose to escape from her Quelda responsibility at the end. I would love to read the novel. By the way, congratulations on getting published! You are so lucky, I wish I could do the same with one of my novels. Don't take the experience for granted!"

~S.L. Bynum from Webook on Bloodmaiden

"This is such an awesome story, as I have spoken before inreference it lures me to the vision of Lord of the Rings meet Harry Potter. I love it. Christine has a very deep and vivid imagination and I see her as the next J.R.R Tolkien and J. K Rowling. Keep the stories comming Christine, you have a true gift.
Will catch you back on webook
Peace"

~Gryody from Webook on Bloodmaiden

"It's a hard thing to write a coming-of-age story, even more so while in the fantasy genre. It has to be serious; well thought out enough to have meaning, but still having some element of the fantastical. I believe this story accomplishes both of these criteria. This, at least in my opinion, is a coming of age story, and one well written enough to have serious impact... This is fantasy in its highest form, of that there is no question."

~B.R. Sullivan from Webook on Elantra: the Lie of Adelar

Bloodmaiden Gains Positive Reader Review

As stated in previous posts, my novel Bloodmaiden was just accepted by Old Line Publishing for publication. But the short story excerpt featured on Kalkion is already gaining recognition--at a fast pace. Having cleared 600 views, here are just some of the things readers are saying about Schulze's Bloodmaiden:

You have a very well-rounded imagination. I really enjoyed reading what I read of "Bloodmaiden." I would definitely read the novel. It holds your attention and really draws you in the story. I am very interested in finding out what happens. You left us wanting more.
~Ariane

Wow, I'm glad I took the time to read this. The story was very compelling from beginning to end. I could feel Crisilin's fear throughout the story. I kept wanting to know what was so horrible that the dragons did, and I'm glad your character chose to escape from her Quelda responsibility at the end. I would love to read the novel. By the way, congratulations on getting published! You are so lucky, I wish I could do the same with one of my novels. Don't take the experience for granted!
~S.L. Bynum

This is fantastic! How can a piece of work like this go unpublished? It's deep, gripping.
~salvaincullen

More to come! You can read the excerpt here for yourself:
http://www.kalkion.com/fiction/934/bloodmaiden

Bloodmaiden Revamped

I have just published "Bloodmaiden" a short, fantasy story, with Kalkion, an online magazine. This is part of a book I hope to publish and also includes promotional artwork. Some of you have already read this story at webook and left comments here, but it would look really good to have some on this site, so please, if you could read this updated version and comment, or else grant me permission to copy and paste comments you’ve already made on webook. I would appreciate anyone who could read and leave a comment; comments are easy to leave, you can even be an anonymous commenter instead of providing a name. As I finally have some spare time, I can return the favor by reading something of yours. Here's the link, and do enjoy! ^_^
http://www.kalkion.com/fiction/934/bloodmaiden

Bloodmaiden Begins...

“I live in Tynan, the fourth dynasty, whose dragons do provide much protection, and there is much need of it, for our dynasty is set in the northern mountains, where wild animals and avalanches and other such dangers are ever constant. But the tribute they require in return is so horrible, no one speaks of it. I cannot even utter it here, now, on paper. In fact, I will soon have to lay down my pen because my fingers tremble, scrawling the words in nervous, illegible scribbles across the pages of the last days of my life. I will have to lay down the pen because the unspoken truth is all the more real and close and unbearably frightening for me. “For, you see, I am the new Quelda of Tynan.”

Bloodmaiden

~Christine E. Schulze

1. Read it here:

http://www.webook.com/project/Bloodmaiden-1

http://www.fictionpress.com/secure/story/story_preview.php?storyid=2742298&chapter=1

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?created&&suggest&note_id=209455765428

2. Photos here:

http://bloodmaiden.webs.com/apps/photos/album?albumid=7493489

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?created&&suggest&note_id=209455765428#/album.php?aid=168021&id=689585129

3. Videos coming soon at:

www.youtube.com/user/LittleMissFlem

The Hero Chronicles Unleashed!

The Hero Chronicles are now available at Amazon as both paperback books and ebooks!
Christine E. Schulze releases the greatest adventure since The Legend of Zelda, Harry Potter, or The Lord of the Rings.

The Hero Chronicles

"Remember the phoenix feather..."

The Hero of 1000 Years
Heroes Reunited
The Dove
The Secret Sister and the Silver Knight
The Princess of Destiny and the Princess of the Night

To check them out and buy: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/se...20E.%20Schulze

Excerpts:

The Hero of 1000 Years

Chasmira rushed to the garden, slowing to a walk when she reached it. The garden was so enchantingly beautiful and serene with its many flowers, trees, and sparkling streams that Chasmira had quickly grown to admire it as one of her favorite places on campus. She savored her stroll through the luscious trees as a soft breeze enveloped her.
The garden was once, long ago, as Mrs. Labrier taught them, as the school's Menagerie. In fact, many animals still dwelt there, though few classes were held there now as in the days of old, and students could now come and go as they pleased.
Chasmira found Aaron standing in small clearing surrounded by a circle of trees, staring up into the branches of one particular tree.
"Aaron?" she called softly.
"Sh. Over here," he beckoned quietly.
Chasmira tip-toed over to stand beside him. He pointed upward. High in the branches was a nest full of pure golden phoenix chicks, their mother perching nearby, watching them.
"I love this place," he half thought aloud. "I feel…ever since I came to this garden, I've felt like…like it's going to be a special place for me someday..."
Remembering Chasmira's presence, he turned to her. "Sounds cheesy, I guess."
"No." She scanned the trees thoughtfully as a soft breeze swept across her face. "There's something about this place..."
Suddenly, something fluttered down from the nest to rest at Chasmira's feet. She picked it up—a phoenix feather. It glistened in the sunlight, and tracing her fingers along its edges, she marveled at its soft, delicate touch.Extending it to Aaron, she said quietly, "They say a phoenix feather is a symbol of everlasting friendship."
He took the feather in his hand and smiled.
"I—I still have those striped paper clips you gave me in sixth grade," she continued hesitatingly, glancing away as her cheeks flushed hotly.
Aaron smiled slyly. "You mean the ones you stole from me."
"I didn't steal them. I just never returned them." She glimpsed up hopefully yet with a small, guilty smile, and he laughed softly.She suddenly remembered her reason for coming. "Oh, your coach wants to see you on the Frisbee Field."
"Now?"
"Yeah, Josh came looking for you and Rachel."
"Rachel? She's on the opposite team. Why would he want both of us?"
"Josh said the coaches were quarreling about something—wait. You and Rachel? On opposite teams? You don't—"
"Try to kill each other?" Aaron smirked. "Nah, but she's a pretty aggressive player."
They stood silently admiring the serene clearing for a few moments, soaking up its calm, reverent aura, then Aaron said quietly, "Well, I better get going."
"Sure. See you tonight."
"Okay."Aaron walked off. Chasmira stood awing over the trees for a little while longer before following him out of the garden, casting a final glance at the small clearing. She felt it too—a mysterious specialness about the place.

***

Tiffany sidled silently down the corridors. Though most people were gathered at the game, and though no passersby would see her even if she met any, she always took the chance to practice stealth and silence. It was a part of her job, one never knew when your powers might fail you and natural sneakiness became needed...
Finally stopping before one of the identical doors of the shadowy, silent hallway, she knocked, waiting. Her eyes fell upon the misty light streaming through one of the windows. A grayness clung to the deserted place, a deadness that would've seemed eerie if it weren't so sad. Not even the distant, muffled cries of the hoverball game reached all the way up here.The softest footsteps thudded, and then the door opened slowly.
"Tiffany."
Dristann looked slightly taken aback. "Come in."
She stepped inside and he secured the door behind them. The room itself was filled with empty, mournful shadows created from the glow of the candles scattered about, illuminating the book spread open on the room's solitary bed. Sinking down on the edge and examining the book, she looked up and smiled.
"Reading Loz yet again, are we? Did I successfully get you hooked after all?"
He nodded, casting her a small smile as he joined her on the edge of the bed.
"The guys don't call you a 'girly wuss,' anymore?"
He scowled. "Doesn't bother me. If that's the best insult they come up with...besides, I like Chryselda's story. It's sad, but it ends happily..."
"So can your story," she breathed.He glanced away, sighing deeply. "Can't we endure one visit without mentioning that..?"
"Sorry, it's just...you know I care, that's all. That's why I came to you before Aaron or Chasmira or any other character. Because you drew me in, because I felt compassion for you, wanted to help you, make your story better like theirs..."
"So mine does end badly? You admit it?" he growled, biting his lip.
"You know I can't tell you anything," she whispered, but her eyes glinted with torture. He needed no further reply. "Last month, a friend of mine...she was helping Frodo from Lord of the Rings...she fell in love with him so she warned him of Gollum's treachery, trying to spare him pain...the council whipped her out of there immediately, stripped her of all powers until further notice...perhaps she'll never travel again..."
"Well, at least we don't have top worry about that happening with me," he muttered. Tiffany glanced with a longing hurt in her eyes as his tall, proud shoulders slouched wearily. A great tiredness hung in those dark but beautiful, brooding eyes...
"How are you here anyways?" he asked. "You know how much trouble you could get in for being in the boys' corridor...especially with a boy," he added with a smirk, as if trying feebly to cheer himself up.
"You know I have powers." She tried to smile herself, "or at least you ought to by now. I can make it so that no one can see, hear, taste, smell, or touch me—no one but you..."She glanced up at him hopefully, and for a moment his eyes lingered on hers, searching powerfully.
She looked away. "Besides, I could ask why you're not at the game."
"You should know by now I'm a solitary creature—by necessity and choice. I attend the daily rituals of class, meals, childish recess, but beyond that—"
"More by necessity, I think." Ignoring the comment, he said, "Those hair clips are nice. The suit you."Glimpsing the elegant painting of the huge, black butterfly hanging over his dresser, she said quietly, "I got them more because they suit you…"
"Mm…so why aren't you at the game?"
"I was. But I knew you'd be here, needing company—I don't need a book scene to know everything. Besides, I don't care much for sports."
He sighed, the dark shadows again masking his fair face as he muttered, "You're too nice, Tiffany. Too nice to hang around that Aaron anyways..."
"Aaron is nice," she retorted defensively.
"Aaron is an arrogant pighead," he snarled, glaring at her.
"Well..." She couldn't argue. It was true, at times.
Dristann nodded, satisfied.
"But must you hate him? Must you hate him just because your aunt does?"
"I must hate him because my aunt hates Chasmira, because he associates himself with her, because he is meant to help her..."
"And you are meant to help your aunt."
"Yes."
"But you don't have—"
"Drop it. Please? Can't we just enjoy each other's company like we used to?"
His eyes pleaded her, torment shining beyond their mask of spiteful hardness. She couldn't push him further, not today. Besides, she desired the same thing he seemed to.Nodding, she laid back on the bed, and he did too. For a long time she watched the orangish light and grey shadows dancing upon the canopy of the bed. Something soothing existed in their flowing, fluid movements, something calming though the heavy sadness could not be lifted entirely from her heart. Only he could take away that burden...
After a while, she turned her head towards him. He slept, his face peaceful, the tortured eyes veiled, his mind lost in the sweet nothingness of dreams. With a slight smile, she sat up, kissed his cheek, and stole silently from the room.

Heroes Reunited

Aaron found himself in a hall whose walls were covered from floor to ceiling with mirrors. As a shadow flashed in one of the long stretches of silvery glass, he instantly looked away, remembering Toby's warning.
Trying to keep his gaze focused on the floor, he started slowly down the path which soon curved to the right. He wanted to walk faster, or even run—a strange desire to leave this room as soon as possible gripped him—but he couldn't. It was all he could do to concentrate on not looking at the mirrors as some eerily possessive pull urged him to glimpse just one, tiny peek. He wished Toby had given them some warning about how difficult it would be to resist their temptation, though he wondered how or if the knowing would've helped him. He tried to keep the constant, watching eyes of the mirrors from his mind, but the longer he tread down that silent path with only his echoing footsteps to distract his mind, he began to wonder: what was his deepest, inner-most fear?
Reaching a fork in the path, he veered left, hoping he was going the right way, all the while that single, troubling question repeating itself in his mind: what was his greatest fear? His deepest terror? His secret-most horror? His..?
His feet began to drag like lead, wanting to stop, and his eyes wanted to glance up and catch just a peep of whatever glimmered in those mirrors.
Suddenly, he stood at a dead end. Good, he thought, sighing great relief. I must be at the end of the maze. He tried to walk through the mirror as Toby said. But no matter how he pushed, ran into it, he couldn't get through.
Then he remembered the fork in the path. Perhaps he'd chosen the wrong way and this wasn't the arched doorway. But instead of turning about and going back to try the other pathway, he looked up just to check...
Instantly, his eyes fixed on the mirror before him, and he could not tear away. Shadows, dark shadows, swirled in the mirror, and then a dark tower took form. The scene zoomed in on the tower's window. Inside were the girls and Rorrim who wielded a black staff. He suddenly grabbed Chasmira and threw her against the opposite wall. Aaron could see her fear-stricken, pleading eyes as Rorrim lifted his staff, pointed it straight at her heart; he saw her scream and could almost hear it as jets of black energy surged from Rorrim's staff straight towards Chasmira. Aaron found himself drawing his sword and shouting, "No!" and then everything grew starkly and abruptly black. Then the mirror was just a mirror again.
Aaron was relieved it stopped; it all seemed so real—too real. But now he knew what his greatest fear was. Though he never want to lose any of his friends, most of all he was terrified of losing his closest friend, Chasmira. And Rorrim knew it. He sent the visions to trouble Aaron. He captured Chasmira to use her as bait to bring Aaron to him so he could find a way to take his stone and bring him to his downfall.One, determined thought raced through Aaron's mind—he must get out of here as quickly as possible. He had to get to Chasmira. Rorrim couldn't harm her so long as she had her ring, but what if she tried to get it to them and failed? That was just the sort of thing she'd try to do...
Shadows suddenly stirred in the mirror again. No, in each mirror. The scene was replaying all around him. He tried to look away, but it surrounded him, playing over and over again—there was no where else to turn—each time more quickly culminating to the part where Rorrim aimed his staff at Chasmira...
Aaron clutched his sword tightly. His heart cavorted frantically within him, he was breathing heavily, and beads of sweat began to form thickly on his brow. Chasmira's eyes pleaded to him from all sides, and yet he couldn't get to her, couldn't help her...

The Secret Sister and the Silver Knight

He lay dazed for a moment, but as his vision cleared, he saw her cruel fangs and white, empty eyes towering over, leering at him. Sensation returned to his momentarily numb body, and realizing the sword miraculously still clasped in his hand, he held it tight, rolling aside as she struck with lightning speed and incredible accuracy.
The next few moments were nothing but a blur as he slipped in and out of her coils, nicking her tough skin here and there with the blade, causing her to hiss defiantly, but she moved too swiftly and skillfully for him to get in any good hits. He needed some sort of strategy...At some point—he didn't know when for he was too busy weaving and dodging—she surrounded them, himself, herself, Chasmira, with a ring of flame that reduced the room he had to maneuver, shrunk the fighting rink, shrunk his chances...
A sharp pain surged through his arm, intensifying with each quarter of a second til he felt first ice, then fire, then a tearing, clawing sensation, then all three pains merging together into one, nearly maddening effect. He stumbled, wanting to clutch at that arm, claw the pain away, but the slightest touch made him shout in agony all the more.Gradually, his arm began to grow numb, the pain to lessen, though his body felt itself steadily draining. He still held the sword firm, nearly falling over as he struggled to stand straight, get his bearings…find Chasmira...

The Princess of Destiny and the Princess of the Night

"What is your name?"
The prisoner's eyes rolled up to stare into those of the Dark Lady. As he replied, his voice echoed with the same undecipherable emotion as her own:
"Bryan Thomas."
"Good. And whom do you serve and swear total allegiance to?"
"You, my Lady, the Dark Lady, the Princess of the Night."
"And who is our enemy?"
Here the prisoner hesitated. The Dark Lady repeated the question more slowly, warning flickering in the flames of her voice."Who is our enemy?"
"Chasmira Eriz, also called the Princess of Destiny Future," the prisoner replied.
"Good. And what is your purpose?"
"To bring her to you...so you may destroy her."
The Dark Lady smirked with cold triumph.
"Good. You've learned well. Now go, and do not fail me."
The prisoner arose, bowed, and left the room, maintaining his emotionless expression, clutching the gem in his pocket which burned into his palm, searing his flesh. As soon as he slipped from her presence, he allowed the hot tears to spring into his eyes.