Bloodlines
What followed might have been just a few moments of staring, but they stretched on to infinity in Sifani’s mind. The sheer number of words she had on the tip of her tongue alongside the bone-deep shock that had hit her cancelled each other out, so that she could
Bloodlines
A mistake. She wielded the first defense that came to mind, ignoring the part of her that told her she sounded childish, or foolish, or both. “But they were married!” Sifani told Ileniel vehemently. “We all knew the story - my foreigner mother left my father after a whirlwind marriage
Bloodlines
Ileniel leaned forward to put his forearms on his knees, a posture he often took before launching off into a personal sermon, or a particularly long and complex tale. He waited several heartbeats before speaking again. “I can only tell you what I know, but it should be enough.” He
Bloodlines
It came to my attention - via a reader - that the last installment of "Bloodlines of Epheria" was a touch confusing. It was unclear whether or not Sifani was going to talk to Ileniel right then and there, or if she was going to wait, and why
Bloodlines
The days that followed comprised a small lifetime for Sifani, made all the worse for the fact that she had nothing to do. Jatan had forbidden her from the epheria, and for once, Sifani wasn’t inclined to disagree with his decision. The aging man spent his time with Antian,
Bloodlines
Sifani recoiled as if struck. She stared at Lorin for a moment, and then her tongue sputtered words while her mind struggled to form the coherent thoughts to go with them. “Deities, creation…what’s the point of even discussing this? We know nothing. Nothing! No, don’t you dare
Bloodlines
Even as she was pushed along, Sifani stared flatly at Lorin over her shoulder. “This had better not be a joke, Lorin. After the scare we just had, the last thing I need is you creeping about behind me in the hallways.” They came to the door of her and
Bloodlines
“What do you mean, you didn’t see them at first?” Sifani could tell that her nerves were frayed. The question she directed at Jatan came out as if he were a suspect instead of a friend. Jatan took it with equanimity, of course, spreading his hands. "Antian, Namiss
Bloodlines
She lay on her back, knowing that she was pinned down, but gasping for breath nonetheless. With wide eyes, Sifani stared up at her attacker. What she saw was something she had no name for. Claws. The first things that Sifani took in were the claws. Yet in the split
Bloodlines
Don't miss out on the complete story! Catch up with the rest of "Bloodlines of Epheria" via the links on the part five page. Antian and Jatan had their cloaked and hooded heads pressed together, conversing, the whole time they led Sifani, Namiss and Lorin out
Bloodlines
Did you happen to miss "Bloodlines" part 1, 2, 3 or 4? Catch up with Sifani's story and join us back here! Antian was indeed bent over his notebook when Sifani, Lorin, Namiss and Jatan climbed two flights of stairs to his level of the tower.
Bloodlines
Missed part three? Read it here. Sifani picked up the sphere of Lightleaf she had set by the tub and pocketed it. “Thank you, Namiss,” she relented. The girl’s night-dark eyes lit up appreciatively. Sifani jerked her thumb at the door good-naturedly. “Come on, let’s go to supper.