magician

 

Hair coolly swept behind an ear, she emerged trembling. The candle took offense to her mockery and went out. She stood in the dark.

            “Afraid?” asked the magician. He sat upright, perfectly poised although she could not see him in the dark. He heard a foot shuffle. It was not a step forward or back, only a tick that is born in the wake of fear. His question reaped no answer.

            He stood, slowly, concealing his frustration. He paused for a moment then walked with great confidence in the dark to the miscellany that lay atop his altar, as if it had been a stage direction committed to memory and he had known when this moment would come. He paid no attention to the shallow breathing that escaped the girl’s lips and went on to run his hands over the book.

Author's Note

this is going to end up being a bigger story, but this is all i have time & space for in my head at the moment. the plot isnt set in stone yet... it will surprise me, too.

Reviews

[Jimmy.]

Hmm, I'm thinking a sacrifice right now? Keep working, get going.

[Chillbear Latrigue]

This is a beautifully written passage. It needs to be part of a much bigger story. These few sentences leave me wanting much more.

[Nicholas Hallows]

I'm looking forward to reading more of this!
I love the detail you pay to their actions that speak so many words.
A really good start!
NH