Tuesday Tales: Writing Bridge

Welcome to Tuesday Tales, a weekly blog featuring diverse authors posting excerpts from their works in progress based on word and picture prompts. I continue to regain stamina and get back into the swing of things, after a major medical scare. I’m so pleased you can join me today, This week the word prompt is bridge. My snippet is from a new paranormal piece. Enjoy the other authors at Tuesday Tales.

A flutter assaulted her abdomen. He had told the shopkeeper, “I warned you before,” his tone sounding even more lethal than his words. Dark, ominous, like a storm’s first disquieting rumble. You knew there was hell on earth waiting to be unleashed. Dru shifted her stance. She shouldn’t be hearing this argument.

The shopkeeper’s voice turned low and more subdued. Only a few words floated in now– “red stone” and “four nights” or perhaps it was “fortnight.” The conversation ended abruptly, when two teen girls entered and made a beeline for the ornamental soaps. The man left the shop immediately.

The shopkeeper reappeared behind the counter, appearing flushed. For the first time Dru noticed the label on her blouse—Jahi. Unusual name. “Did you decide if the scented oil will suffice for your needs?”

Dru blinked, finding it a little difficult to regain traction on her love spell quest. Why had the confrontation between the man and Jahi shaken her so much? “I’m not sure actually. The instruction sheet you gave me appears to be in Latin.”

Jahi frowned “Latin? Well, for the love of—let me see it.” She perused the paper for several moments and then muttered, “My Latin is rudimentary. I can only make out a couple of the terms, I’m afraid.” Her finger trembled beneath a word. “This means sea or ocean.”

“Really?” A frown skirted her brow. “Could it have something to do with the direction of West in casting a sacred circle?”

“Possibly. What springs to mind often indicates synchronicity. Are you particularly drawn to the guardians of the West or to the associated water?”

Dru’s eyes widened. “Well, yes, actually. Much more so than the East, which is not always good for circle casting because the East is where I start. ” She smiled sheepishly. “Air is so cerebral. Not really me. And the winged creatures. I don’t have a true affinity for birds.” 

Jahi tapped a forefinger against her bottom lip. “As its opposite, East forms a bridge with West. Perhaps consider other winged creatures as you say, rather than the usual birds. Or consider other ways of thinking outside the box. You seem one who could accomplish that.”

Dru sniffed the aromatic cotton again. “I’ll take the oil.”

The shopkeeper smiled. “Fine. Let me know how your love spell works out.”

I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the word prompt bridge. Thanks for stopping by. Return to Tuesday Tales.

Cheers & Happy Reading!

Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic in Romance