A Breakfast to Die For was first published by Shacklebound Book's Wryms 2 anthology in April 2024.
A Breakfast to Die For
“The dragon egg, over-easy,” Barnaby declared, holding his menu aloft.
“An excellent choice, sir.” The waiter quickly collected the menu. “Our current clutch was sourced locally this morning.”
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Barnaby asked his date, Hannah, the moment the waiter departed. “Not a vegan, are you?”
“No,” Hannah huffed, “I just can’t condone stealing unborn babies from their mothers…”
The pre-laid cutlery suddenly shook slightly.
“Odd,” Barnaby said, glancing down at the table. “Did you feel that?”
The pair turned to see a giant pupil peering through the restaurant window.
Mother wanted her brood back…
“An excellent choice, sir.” The waiter quickly collected the menu. “Our current clutch was sourced locally this morning.”
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Barnaby asked his date, Hannah, the moment the waiter departed. “Not a vegan, are you?”
“No,” Hannah huffed, “I just can’t condone stealing unborn babies from their mothers…”
The pre-laid cutlery suddenly shook slightly.
“Odd,” Barnaby said, glancing down at the table. “Did you feel that?”
The pair turned to see a giant pupil peering through the restaurant window.
Mother wanted her brood back…
Torchbearer was first published by Shacklebound Book's Wryms anthology in July 2022.
Torchbearer
Zhi’s frail fingers filled his final firework... Last of the Zhen line, his dynasty had spent centuries defending the night sky from dragons.
Or so said the legend.
No one believed it any longer.
Firework in hand, Zhi made his way outside unsteadily.
Fuse lit, he watched wordlessly as his final defence burst into life, then vanish unceremoniously – silently.
A roar shattered that silence.
Soaring into the sky like a great celestial serpent – a blaze of burnished golds – the legend had seized its opportunity.
Zhi shook his head ruefully as the townspeople panicked.
He had once offered each an apprenticeship...
Or so said the legend.
No one believed it any longer.
Firework in hand, Zhi made his way outside unsteadily.
Fuse lit, he watched wordlessly as his final defence burst into life, then vanish unceremoniously – silently.
A roar shattered that silence.
Soaring into the sky like a great celestial serpent – a blaze of burnished golds – the legend had seized its opportunity.
Zhi shook his head ruefully as the townspeople panicked.
He had once offered each an apprenticeship...
