Tuesday Tales: Shale 10-28-2014 by Flossie Benton Rogers

Tuesday Tales is a weekly blog featuring diverse authors who post excerpts from their WIPs based on word and picture prompts. Today’s prompt is the word ghostly. This week we switch to a work in progress I’m temporarily calling by the heroine’s name, Shale. Please visit the other fabulous authors at Tuesday Tales.

Shale’s right hand froze on the pestle, while the fingers of her left hand tightened to a death grip on the cold rim of the green onyx mortar. She moved not a muscle, her gaze riveted to the ghostly presence forming just inside the door of the herb and incense shop. At first a mere wisp, the image bubbled upward like an overflowing vat of dry ice.

The cool spring air chilled to a wintry temperature.

In moments Shale was able to discern the figure of a woman. A minute later the woman had become as corporeal as if she had just stepped into the room from the sidewalk outside.

The spirit looked the same as the last time Shale had seen her. A shimmery costume encased her slender body, as if the finest of golden threads had been woven into an ivory, gauzy fabric. Gold jewelry adorned her throat and the upper region of one well shaped arm. A lapis circlet bejeweled her brow and waist length tresses.

It’s happening again. I’m turning into freaking Thomas the Rhymer. Just looking at the woman, her brain spouted out outdated lingo like tresses and circlets.

Peering closely, Shale noticed something she hadn’t before. Sadness seemed to emanate from the woman’s delicate features and lustrous dark eyes. The thought had just occurred to her, when the spirit extended an arm toward Shale. In the center of her palm rested a large red stone .

The bell over the door jingled, and Rowena sailed into the shop, striding directly through the mysterious presence. With an abrupt popping sound, the figure disappeared from view.

“What the hell!” Rowena brushed her hands together in a frantic motion.

Shale rushed to her sister. “You saw her, Rowena?”

“I didn’t see a damn thing. Something shocked the hell out of me, and why is it freezing in here, by the way?” Rowena’s irritated expression changed to one of surprise. She gripped Shale’s shoulders. “You saw the ghost again?”

Gulping, Shale nodded.

“Same as before?”

“Except…except this time she showed me something.”

Thanks so much for stopping by. Please visit the other fabulous authors at Tuesday Tales.

Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Fantasy Romance